We are pleased to announce that work to repair and restore the roofs at one of the Bay’s much loved local heritage buildings starts this February.

To facilitate the repair work, the car park will be closed throughout the duration of the works, which are expected to take a minimum of two years to complete. The closure of the car park is needed to accommodate scaffolding, a contractor site compound and safe controlled working zones.

The closure of the car park will take effect from Wednesday 15 January when contractors begin to mobilise, and scaffolding starts to be put up around the external walls of the main building.

The grounds of Oldway and Torbay Country Bowling Club will remain open.

Access to Little Oldway Residential Home will be maintained at all times throughout the work.

All visitors to the Oldway site are asked to find alternative nearby on-street parking or to walk, cycle or travel by bus to the location.

Motorists should avoid parking on drive leading to the car park (from Torquay Road) during the day as the road will need to be kept clear to accommodate large delivery vehicles. Limited parking will continue to be available on Bowlers Way. No vehicles will be able to enter or exit the grounds from Oldway Road.

Phase 1 of the Oldway Mansion restoration project is being funded by £1million committed by Torbay Council, and £8million of government funding.

Repairing the (approximately) 13 different types of roofs to the main Mansion is a major step forward in restoring and preserving Oldway, but there is still a long way to go before the building can reopen to the public.

Full restoration will be phased over several years and will require the Council to work with its public and private sector partners, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Development growth at Torbay Council, said; “Making Oldway Mansion wind and watertight is an essential first step in restoring the building that we know is cherished by so many in the community.

“The closure of the car park for a significant amount of time is going to unfortunately cause some inconvenience. However, the closure is necessary to allow us to move forward with this restoration project that the community has wanted for so long.

“During the restoration work, visitors are welcome to continue enjoying the grounds which are maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers”.

Read more about Torbay Council’s plans to restore Oldway Mansion on our webpages.