Work on a number of key projects will help to transform parts of Torbay in 2025. The new year will see what the council calls “exciting transformational projects” taking shape.
They include four schemes in Paignton that have been funded with cash from the government. In Torquay, the long-awaited harbourside makeover will officially be declared open.
Here are the projects set to transform Torbay in 2025.
Crossways
Hyde Road car park (formerly Crossways) in Paignton
(Image: DevonLive)
Work is underway between the council and its regeneration partners to bring forward a revised option for the iconic shopping centre site that will deliver around 90 extra care homes. It is proposed to bring forward a new planning application for this site in the middle of 2025.
In the meantime, the site will be used as a temporary surface level car park (Hyde Road car park) to help maintain town centre parking provision during the demolition of Victoria multi-storey car park.
Station Square
Images of Torbay Council plans for Station Square in Paignton
(Image: Torbay Council)
Two images show how the scheme will take shape. The council says it is focusing on modernising the heart of the town centre by improving public spaces, connectivity between areas and introducing new landscaping to create a vibrant and welcoming environment.
The council says: “To ensure the final scheme meets the needs of businesses, pedestrians, and motorists, different layouts have been trialled and feedback captured. With the scheme design finalised and agreed with key stakeholders, a contractor has been appointed and work is anticipated to start in the early months of the new year.”
Details on the programme and phasing of works is in the process of being developed with the contractor (also in liaison with Network Rail and Great Western Railway) and will be shared with businesses and the community in due course.
Not everyone is happy with the scheme. A rival design has also been produced.
Strand Torquay
Torquay new-look harbourside on the Strand
(Image: DevonLive)
After a year of digging, traffic diversions, temporary lights, closures, more digging and delays the centrepiece of Torquay rejuvenation plans is now almost ready.
Some workmen remain on site putting the finishing touches to the scheme but members of the public can now walk the newly-laid harbourside pavements without barriers and judge for themselves the results.
Business have no doubt about the benefits. Gary Salter, owner of the Lighthouse cafe and bar, said: “For me it is the best thing that could have happened to the area. We’ve been asking for this for years and they have delivered.
The harbourside will formally open in the spring. This will coincide with the installation of the specially-commissioned tribute to Agatha Christie and a range of events and activities.
Victoria Centre
Victoria Square in Paignton
(Image: DevonLive)
In early 2025, a phased programme of demolition work to the Victoria Centre starts, commencing with the bringing down of the multi-storey car park.
On Sunday, January 5, Victoria multi-storey car park will be closing permanently and the contractor, Wrings Group will start enabling and demolition works from Monday 6 January.
The few businesses still operating within the Victoria Centre and surrounding areas will remain open and accessible.
In preparation for the closure of the multi-storey car park, a new temporary surface level car park has been created on Hyde Road (opened on November 29).
Demolition work will be carried out in three phases. At the end of the first phase of the demolition programme, expected to be completed by mid-April, work will start to construct a temporary surface level car park, with spaces being released sequentially, with the aim to have 100s of these spaces available for summer 2025.
Debenhams Torquay
Debenhams Torquay
(Image: DevonLive)
Knocking down the derelict Debenhams department store on Torquay harbourside is set to be one of the next parts of the ‘transformation’ of the town’s tourism hotspot. Torbay Council is keen to get on with the job of pulling down the old store and building new homes, businesses and possibly a high-end ‘boutique’ hotel in its place.
Development partners Willmott Dixon and Milligan are waiting to get started on the job. The council’s cabinet voted unanimously to snap up the harbourside buildings it needs by using a compulsory purchase order if agreement cannot be reached with the current owners.
The properties involved are numbers 7 to 14 The Strand, where Debenhams was, and six properties on The Terrace, behind the old department store.
Torbay Road
Painted crossroads on Torbay Road in Paignton
(Image: DevonLive)
Improvements will be made in phases, beginning with the creation of new spaces for blue badge holders and Hackney taxi ranks. New proposed taxi car ranks will be introduced at the eastern and western ends of Torbay Road. By introducing the taxi ranks ahead of the Station Square works starting, the Council can ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for drivers and passengers.
To further support the Hackney trade during the Station Square improvement works, a temporary rank will be introduced on Hyde Road. This rank will not be put in place or operational until work on Station Square starts (date to be confirmed in the new year).
The Torbay Road works programme is in the process of being finalised. It is proposed that works on Torbay Road will commence early in the new year and prior to the main works starting on Station Square.
Union Square Torquay
Torquay Union Square Concept
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Residents and businesses have been asked their views on multi-million pound plans for Torquay’s Union Square. Proposals have been unveiled that would see the shopping centre demolished and redeveloped into affordable housing.
Torbay Council has already outlined its plan for the site and released concept images of what it could look like. It says the current multi-storey car park would be retained, with new “high-quality homes”, retail spaces, leisure facilities, public areas, and an NHS centre built on the site.
The project team intends to submit a planning application in spring 2025. A decision is expected in the first half of the year.
Paignton Picture House
Inside the Paignton Picture House
(Image: Guy Henderson/LDRS)
Torbay Council, Arts Council England and Paignton Picture House Trust is working together to deliver the full restoration of Paignton Picture House in line with the Paignton Town Centre Masterplan (2015). The project will see one of Europe’s earliest purpose-built cinemas restored into a vibrant and community cultural hub.
The council took a decision on the 5 December 2024 to award a further £900,000 of Future High Streets Funding to the project to restore Paignton Picture House.
Paignton and Preston Promenade Scheme
The Paignton Coastal Scheme proposed by Torbay Council
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
The Paignton and Preston Promenade scheme will provide high-quality coastal defences and public realm. The defences are essential to protect the future of the seafronts, residential properties, businesses and the town centre. The scheme includes enhanced public spaces with space for locals and visitors to make the most of this stunning area of Torbay.
Torbay Council are now in the final stages of the tender process to appoint a developer for the scheme. The council will provide more detail, including construction timelines and detail on phasing of the works in early 2025.
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said:
“By improving the look and feel of Station Square we’re providing a pleasant and welcoming space for everyone that visits Paignton. New seating, planting and space for pop-up concession stands will give the heart of the town a new lease of life.
“The demolition of the Victoria Centre is an important step towards releasing the land for redevelopment and supports the Council in bringing forward the site for development with its regeneration partners – Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
“Throughout all works happening in 2025 and beyond, it is important to remember that Paignton will remain open, please keep visiting and supporting the town centre.”
At the end of 2020, Torbay Council was successful in securing £13.36million of Future High Street Funding for Paignton to deliver infrastructure improvements, new homes in the town centre and an enhanced cultural offer.
Since then there have been what the council calls “considerable inflationary pressures”, which saw costs escalate and, in some cases, made some projects unviable.
Since the Autumn of 2023, the council has been working with Willmott Dixon and Milligan to bring forward revised options for key sites and areas for redevelopment and improvement across Torbay.
A resident engagement event focusing on regeneration in Paignton is being planned for late January 2025 in the town centre. More details will be issued in the new year.