Regeneration partnership to boost growth in Torbay

Key projects in Torquay and Paignton will be the first to benefit from the public and private sector partnership

A new public and private sector partnership has been set up to boost economic growth and regeneration in Torbay.

Torbay Council has announced it will work with developers Willmott Dixon and Milligan to deliver regeneration projects.

It said more information about individual projects would follow as programmes were finalised.

The local authority said the partnership was a "significant display of confidence" in the economic future of Torbay.

Torquay was allocated funding by the government in 2020

Partners will work initially on key projects already awarded government funding - in Torquay and Paignton, the council said.

The funding is coming from the government's Future High Streets Fund, along with money from the Town Deal, Levelling Up and Town Money schemes.

It said these projects were designed to reshape town centres; increase town centre living; reduce the number of empty shops; improve the connectivity of town centres, and create jobs.

Councillor David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said the local authority was "focused on accelerating" regeneration projects.

He said: "There are major schemes already under way which show there is huge confidence in Torbay and a bright future for our towns.

"But we know there are challenges and a lot of work still to do, so the partnership gives a clear signal to everyone that Torbay has an exciting future."

Mr Thomas added: "We're looking to create our town centres to be a vibrant place, where people will want to go and revisit, we're looking to remove some of those empty shops, [and] we're looking to create better connectivity across our town centres..."

Councillor David Thomas said the partnership illustrated a confidence in the economy in Torbay going forward

Chris Wheeler, regional head of land and development at Willmott Dixon, said the company already had "a major presence in the region".

He said it was "looking forward to working together to create a catalyst for change across the bay".

Mr Wheeler said: "We aim to help generate further economic growth, create new job opportunities, and encourage more inward investment into Torbay, so this development will make a lasting contribution to the region’s future prosperity."

Stuart Harris, CEO for Milligan, said the team was "thrilled" to be playing a leading role in the projects.

He said: "The partnership we’ve formed brings Torbay the best of the skillsets that are needed for a cohesive and effective regeneration strategy that can be delivered with pace."