To consider the Torquay Town Centre Place Vision for Investment and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth – Councillor Chris Lewis and the Director of Regeneration – David Carter outlined the submitted report on the Torquay Town Centre Place Vision document which aimed to attract external investment into Torquay and responded to questions.

Julie Brandon made representations welcoming the inclusion of items within the document that had been taken from the Torquay Neighbourhood Plan, which had been previously consulted on and developed by the community.  Ms Brandon suggested the merits of including Cary Green as part of the list of green spaces within the document.

Members raised the following questions:

·                Why was there no consultation with Neighbourhood Forums and Ward Councillors?

·                Will areas outside the Town Centre benefit from the £20m funding?

·                Is this a planning document?

·                When will Paignton be considered?

·                Is retail still viable in town centres?

·                Will the vision be published for small businesses?

·                Are investors interested in Debenhams?

·                Will the Town Centre regeneration discourage investment in areas like Torre and Upton?

·                Why was Paignton Harbour referenced if it discourages investment?

The following responses were provided:

·                Consultation occurred in various formats with most of the sites previously subject to consultation. 

·                The Vision is a marketing and investment document and not a planning document and therefore not subject to any statutory consultation requirements.

·                The £20m funding was different funding as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods which was being managed separately by the community via the Torquay Place Leadership Board (Committee details - Torquay Place Leadership Board).

·                Paignton and Brixham Town Centre Vision documents are due in the Autumn 2025.

·                It was proposed that the retail footprint would be reduced with focus on quality and sustainability.

·                The Vision document will be published as a PDF on the regeneration website, which can then be shared.

·                Two investors have visited the Bay so far, and it is planned to seek a decision on this by the end of 2025.

·                Plan for Neighbourhoods will allow suggestions for investment in other areas of Torquay.

·                Officers will revisit Paignton Harbour with Ward Members; no decision has been made yet on that area.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Cabinet be recommended:

1.       that, subject to the following, the Board supports the document and that Cabinet approve the use of the Torquay Vision document (as set out at Appendix 1) to steer both the delivery of current regeneration sites and the development of future proposals for the sites and areas of public realm identified by the vision as suggested priorities:

a.       to consider including reference to Cary Green as a green space and that it is a public realm investment opportunity, as well as including the Town Hall, Electric House and Town Hall car park as potential development sites; and

b.       to consider consulting with the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum prior to sign off by the Cabinet;

1.2      that delegated authority be given to the Director of Pride in Place to make minor amendments to the vision in consultation with the Leader of the Council, noting that any proposed substantial amendments will be presented to Cabinet for approval; and

1.3      that the Cabinet engage with the Ward Councillors for the emerging Brixham Town Centre Vision and Paignton Town Centre Vision documents prior to them being submitted.