View our plans to protect Paignton and Preston seafronts with coastal defences, including improving public spaces.
We have been talking to local stakeholders to agree the best way for the scheme to progress. A public engagement session was held in July 2024 to hear what local businesses and users of the seafronts had to say about the timings for the scheme.
We are nearing the conclusion of the procurement process and anticipate that a preferred developer will be appointed towards the end of January.
It is anticipated that the first stages of the scheme will involve the essential diversion of utility services. These will take place over the next three months at a limited number of locations.
We have a clear obligation to minimise disruption to our local tourism, businesses and people who regularly use the seafront areas. The main construction works are likely to follow later this year, after the summer holidays. This approach will allow a clear summer season before the main development starts on this essential scheme to protect the Paignton and Preston communities.
Construction timelines are still subject to negotiation under the procurement process. We will update this page with the development phasing and timelines once more information becomes available.
The planning application for the Coastal Flood Protection Scheme was granted permission at the Planning Committee meeting held on 24 June 2024.
The scheme as approved was informed by multiple rounds of stakeholder and public engagement activity. These took place between 2021 and 2023.
The initial concept was of a traditional front line concrete sea wall. The scheme has now evolved into a tiered sea defence with enhanced placemaking in the seafront areas. This transition has been informed by consultation feedback from residents and stakeholders.
The development will provide high-quality coastal defences with enhanced public spaces, essential to protect the future of Paignton and Preston seafronts, residential properties, businesses and the town centre.
As a reminder, the Masterplan includes the sea defences that both Paignton and Preston seafronts need. This is to protect these areas from rising sea levels over the next 50 years. Estimates show that over the next 50 years over 350 properties are at risk of flooding due to climate change. By providing defences now, this risk can be drastically reduced.
We want to protect and improve the precious open spaces along the seafront. This is why we have developed the masterplan for the seafronts in Paignton and Preston. The plan also looks at creating a happy, healthy and vibrant place. We want to celebrate the special qualities of our seafront areas.
We have divided the plan into phases. Subject to approval, we will develop these over a number of years. This will be as and when funding is available. The first projects delivered will be the sea defence elements. For this part we have secured £4.6milion from:
We commissioned LDA Design to run the public engagement on the masterplan. Together, we want to:
We have worked on this with communities and local stakeholders. We want to develop a once in a lifetime plan to improve our seafronts and protect the town.
During this phase, all interested parties could give feedback on the plan before we sent it to the Local Planning Authority.
We held an in-person event on 7 September 2023 with over 60 people in attendance. This was as well as Social Media posts promoting the online consultation,
The scheme as submitted is the culmination of three years design evolution. This has been informed by extensive consultation with:
They have taken the opportunity to influence the scheme and provide valued input. We have listened to consultation feedback. Where appropriate to enhance the scheme, we integrated changes into the final application.
The planning application will be subject to a statutory period of consultation. This will be the last chance to comment on the proposed development. It will be the last chance to influence the submitted scheme.
Find out more about The Consultation Process.