Government has confirmed this week that we have been successful in being named as the latest place to benefit from a major tailored regeneration programme.
Along with the representatives on the Torbay Place Leadership Board, we have worked together to submit and develop a programme with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
This takes the amount of funding we have secured to just over £105million, alongside the Regeneration Partnership announced last year. This sees a further £100million committed to the Bay from the private sector.
The projects identified to receive support from this Partnership include:
- £8million to fund the first phase of the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Oldway Mansion.
- £7million for lighting, improved accessibility, signage and other improvements as part of the Paignton and Preston Sea defences. Reducing the danger of flooding and improving people’s pride in the area.
- £3.25million to convert disused holiday accommodation, such as former guesthouses and large B&Bs, into permanent homes for residents.
- £1million to support improvements to Brixham’s central car park. Including new seating and signage and increasing the number of parking spaces.
- £500,000 to transform vacant buildings into cultural and creative spaces. To nurture and showcase local talent and provide more opportunities for local people.
- £500,000 for improvements to community and youth provision in some of Torbay’s most deprived neighbourhoods.
Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council said: “Hearing that we have secured this Levelling Up Partnership is fantastic news. This, along with other funding already secured for the Bay, will really give us the opportunity to drive forward a range of projects that will have an impact on all three of our towns of the Bay - Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.”
"Torbay is at the beginning of a once in a generation transformation journey. Our focus is on, and will continually be on, making the most of our marine and natural environment alongside the heritage that has shaped the English Riviera. We will be doing this through regeneration, delivering meaningful improvements, benefiting those who live and work in the Bay.
"Telling our story and being part of the Torbay Place Leadership Board means we are collectively raising awareness of our aspirations for our place. Working together in this way has significantly improved the funding and support we are getting locally, regionally and nationally from Government and the private sector."
Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said: “Torbay is at the heart of our levelling up agenda, and I have been delighted to work with local leaders to develop this partnership to ensure it delivers for people.
“The investment will provide a major levelling up boost to the area including by providing more homes for local people helping bring the historic Oldway Mansion back to its former glory and deliver the brighter bay residents deserve.”
Jim Parker, Chair of the Torbay Place Leadership Board, said: "This funding is another massive boost for the English Riviera.
"The Torbay Place Leadership Board played a significant role in securing this latest investment. I would just like to say a personal thank you to all the partners for giving up their invaluable time and energy in making this happen as well as to the Torbay Council Officers and Councillors who have been working extremely hard and against the clock behind the scenes.
"With game changing regeneration investment from both the public and private sector and the power of working together, Torbay is truly on the cusp of a new beginning. bringing the Torbay Story to life to make our home THE place to work, live, visit and invest in."
Levelling Up Partnerships, first announced in the 2023 Spring Budget, are bespoke regeneration programmes targeted in areas that have too often been ignored. The government uses these partnerships to level up skills and opportunities, improve people’s quality of life, and address deep-rooted local challenges, giving these areas the best possible chance to thrive.
Funding secured for Torbay
Along with the Levelling Up Partnership funding announced this week, we have secured the following funding to support our once in a generation regeneration programme:
- Future High Streets Fund - £13.36million - which will support schemes in Paignton including Paignton Picture House, Victoria Square, Station Square, Torbay Road public realm, Crossways, Paignton and Preston Sea Defence.
- Town Deal for Torquay - £21.9million - which will support schemes in Torquay including Union Square, Debenham, Harbour public realm, GPO roundabout and Pavilion.
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund - £2.4million - which will be supporting community, local businesses, people and improving skills.
- National Lottery Heritage Fund - Heritage Places - (£10million) - this funding will be supporting our heritage sites over the next 10 years. The exact plans are being worked on.
We have also secured Levelling Up Funding (£20million) for improvements to the Brixham Port infrastructure and a new Torbay Technology Park as well as the Long Term Plans for Towns (£20million). Business cases are currently being worked on and will be submitted.
About the Torbay Story and Torbay Place Leadership Board
In 2021 the Torbay Place Leadership Board spoke with partners, businesses and residents from across Torbay to develop a forward looking, positive and compelling story of Torbay and the three towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.
This was so that together Torbay can be put on the map, highlight the great things about the area and talk about the opportunities we can offer to attract investment, create jobs and attract funding from Government.
This is a fresh new approach to be place not organisation led. This work builds on the successes of the partnership but also reflects the need to look outwards and think bigger as Torbay seeks to bring prosperity for all its residents.
The Torbay Place Leadership Board is made up of representatives from:
- Torbay Council including Leader, Chief Executive and Director of Pride in Place
- Local MP's
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Devon and Cornwall Police
- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
- English Riviera BID
- Stagecoach
- Strategic Housing Board for Torbay
- Wild Planet Trust
- Torbay Hi-Tech Forum
- Torbay Culture Board
- South Devon College
- Torbay Communities
- Representatives from the Faith communities
News archive
- November 2024 (16)
- October 2024 (21)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)