Updated 1 November 2024
The redevelopment of Union Square is our flagship project for Torquay town centre.
It is one of the projects that we are looking at delivering with our Regeneration Partners, Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
It has £11million of Town Deal funding allocated to it and will be complemented by further public and private sector investment.
The original business case for the project has been developed in line with the Torquay Neighbourhood Plan (approved at a referendum in 2019) and the Town Centre masterplan which was developed with key stakeholders in the community back in 2015.
Both plans set out a long-term vision for Union Square that looks to connect communities, creates a town centre that is fit for the future and diversifies the local economy.
In late October 2024 we shared the preferred design option that will be taken forward for full planning consent, anticipated to be in the first half of 2025.
Public consultation will form part of the statutory planning process which begins this winter.
The design captures the needs and aspirations of local stakeholders by creating a town centre hub that is fit for the future, provides much needed affordable housing for sale and rent and diversifies the local economy.
The project will:
- Provide around 100 new homes
- See the car park retained
- Provide new healthcare facilities and provisions
- Offer new public realm space
- See the retention of the Pannier Market
- Reduce the number of empty shops
In anticipation of the project coming forward, we have already started to acquire properties in the area.
In the meantime, Union Square Shopping Centre remains open as usual, as are other Union Street and Market Street retail businesses and businesses that provide essential services.
Why are we looking to make changes?
In recent years the retail position of town centres has changed considerably. We are therefore focusing on reshaping and introducing more diverse uses into the town centre to ensure it is thriving and fit for the future
By introducing more non-retail uses into the town centre, we can
- Look at opportunities to provide much needed affordable housing for sale and rent
- Create a better-quality high-street experience that attracts investors and users to the area
- Celebrate and enhance our cultural and heritage offer and assets
Organisations working on the project
- Torbay Council
- Willmott Dixon
- Milligan