Updated 3 April 2025
The Strand and harbourside in Torquay are important places in the town. We are working with our regeneration partners, Willmott Dixon and Milligan to make this area better.
We have new plans for The Strand
The high-quality landmark project stretches across The Strand, between a well- known department store and hospitality venue. There will be a staircase that connects the harbourside with The Terrace.
The site is 0.91 acres and has beautiful views of the harbour. This makes it a great place for a new hotel. The hotel will have 154 rooms and space on the ground floor that show the best of Devon.
Delivery of this project will:
- Create year-round jobs
- Help the local economy
- Make other town centre projects more valuable
- Bring new visitors to the area
- Reduce empty shops / premises
- Complement the newly created public realm space
To deliver this project, we need to acquire property in the area. While we have already acquired some properties, there are still a few remaining that we need to acquire. We are currently negotiating with the owners of these remaining properties. Our preference is to reach an agreement with the owners, if necessary, we may use compulsory purchase powers. We have an ‘in principle' agreement to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) if needed, which was approved at the Full Council meeting in December 2024.
Read more about the CPO process.
We are seeking an investor to build and run the hotel, our aim is to complete this work by the end of 2025. The design is still in progress, and we plan to include historical elements. You can provide your feedback on the plans in summer 2025. We hope to submit the planning application in late 2025 and receive the results in early 2026. No buildings will be demolished until we know the outcome of the planning application.
Why we have changed the plans
We changed the plans because the old plan for 12-14 The Strand (former Debenhams building) was not possible due to outside problems.
Our regeneration partners
Willmott Dixon and Milligan are our partners. Willmott Dixon is a top construction company. Milligan is a real estate developer that wants to make towns and cities better.
Funding
- £2 million of Towns Funding has been given to this project.
- We are investing around £5 million of funding from our Growth Fund.
- Private sector investment will be needed to deliver this scheme.
Organisations working on the project
- Torbay Council
- Willmott Dixon
- Milligan