TDA on behalf of Torbay Council submitted a successful application to the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF), to develop surplus land at both Torre Marine and Brixham Town Centre. The BLRF programme supports local authorities to bring forward surplus land for housing in addition to creating better places through a more effective and efficient use of public assets. 

Brixham has secured £675,000 to initiate plans to redevelop the town centre car park. The funding will provide upfront capital to address viability issues at the site.  

Since demolition of the multi-story car park in 2004, various schemes have been considered so that the site can deliver more for the town. It is hoped that this funding can overcome these concerns and plans to deliver a scheme that will see up to 70 residential units built on the site with no loss of parking go ahead.  

The project will address the aspirations of residents by bringing forward more affordable housing in the area. The final plans will allow for the new housing to be built without the loss of any car parking spaces, delivering on Brixham’s Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. The project is also aligned with the Brixham Neighbourhood Plan, Torbay’s Community & Corporate Plan and Torbay’s Housing Strategy. The next steps include working with partners in Brixham, including the Town Council to determine the detail of any scheme. Building work is hoped to start in early 2023 and complete a year later. 

In addition, the site at Torre Marine, Torquay, has been secured £415,000 to carry out groundworks. Torre Marine has been the subject of various planning consents over the years; however, none have delivered due to viability difficulties. The funding will be used to try to overcome these difficulties, making way for a scheme to build 78 Assisted Living care units. These units would be maintained and managed by a registered provider. 

The aim of the project is to address an under supply of extra care units within Torbay, helping to reduce waiting lists for such specialist accommodation and improving health outcomes for residents. 

If building work is approved, Tor Vista, Torbay Council’s housing company will manage the project and expects the works to complete during 2022/2023. 

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council said; “It is fantastic news that Torbay has secured this funding to allow us to hopefully accelerate the development of these two key sites, if initial investigation works go to plan. In Torbay this summer we have seen record numbers on our housing waiting list and a severe shortage of care accommodation. The lack of housing supply has created a housing crisis in Torbay, therefore a project to accelerate the building of new housing is great news for our residents and local community”. 

Both redevelopment projects are aligned with Heart of the South-West’s Build Back Better response to Covid and are in-line with Torbay Councils plans to increase spend with local businesses. If both projects get the go-ahead, local suppliers will be invited to bid for the work involved to deliver these two key projects. Local sourcing not only boosts the local economy but also supports Torbay Councils commitment to reduce carbon emissions, helping to tackle climate change. 

Councillor Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader, Torbay Council, said; “It is exciting to have secured this funding and be able to hopefully release the land to accelerate and deliver this much needed accommodation. These projects once approved, also provide us with an opportunity to buy better and support our local economy as it recovers from the pandemic. Over the last 18-months many of us supported businesses on our doorstep and as a council we now get to do the same via SupplyDevon. I’d encourage local suppliers to take a look, sign up and bid for work.” 

Suppliers from Torbay, Devon and Plymouth can register for free at www.supplydevon.org 

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