It is time to have your say on exciting new plans that will transform the former Debenhams site on Torquay's harbourside.
Under the plans released today, residents and businesses can view and comment on proposals that would see the empty building demolished and replaced with an intimate south facing square with elevated views of the Harbour.
The square, surrounded by new cafes, and restaurants would play host to a vibrant café culture, celebrate the character of the area, and create new town centre living opportunities.
The new modern building would provide space for up to 5 leisure retail units and 16 residential units over 4 floors, each consisting of 2-bedrooms.
As part of the consultation process, members of the public are invited to a public exhibition event taking place between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday 28 April at the former small Debenhams shop on the Strand. Members of the project team will be there to talk about the plans and answer any questions on the proposals.
We purchased the site in 2020 as part of its plans to regenerate Torquay's town centre and help boost the local economy.
Prior to the final plans being drawn up, viability and feasibility studies were undertaken to explore both remodel and rebuild options and different uses for the site. Discussions with the community, key stakeholders and English Heritage were also crucial in informing the design process.
To celebrate the history of the Strand, more trees will be planted, and original iron work and Victorian styling from the canopies will influence the railings and balustrading in the new buildings. The redevelopment would also complement and enhance wider harbour public realm works which are due to commence later in the spring.
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; "The Strand and harbourside in Torquay are one of the key locations in the town centre, and it is important that this area is seen as an attractive location. Town centres up and down the country are changing, this development allows for us to be progressive in our thinking to create an attractive place to visit, spend time, as well as live and invest."
Vince Flower, Chair of Torquay Town Board, said; "Torquay's Town Investment Plan (TIP) focuses on delivering a more vibrant town centre through the redevelopment of key town centre sites for mixed uses and public realm schemes. By maximising opportunities for town centre transformation, we can create new jobs, encourage business growth and attract new businesses to the area. We are determined to ensure that Torquay will achieve its economic potential by creating better spaces, with more people living and working there."
The consultation opens today and closes at midnight on Thursday 5 May.
In addition to the public exhibition event, there are other ways members of the public can get involved and have their say.
The proposals are available on the Strand Redevelopment page, along with a link to the consultation questionnaire.
Torquay Library has paper copies of the questionnaire along with information boards on the plans.
Following the consultation period, all feedback received will be considered prior to submitting a planning application. It is expected a planning application will be submitted from late May onwards, with a decision due in the autumn.
The Debenhams redevelopment project is one of several regeneration projects planned for Torquay after £21.9million of Towns Funding was secured by us in October 2020.
Across Torbay a range of multi-million-pound projects are in the pipeline to make spaces where people can thrive. These include £13.36million for the Future High Street Fund for Paignton and £7.8million awarded from Network Rail for a new train station in the Edginswell area. There are also plans to enhance Brixham in line with the Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan with key areas earmarked including Harbour regeneration and Brixham Town Centre car park which received a share of £1million secured through the Brownfield Land Release Fund.
Torbay’s culture and heritage sector are also benefitting from grant funding after almost £4million has been secured since the start of the year.
Discover more about Torbay’s regeneration plans by visiting our regeneration pages.
Artists impression. Modern L shaped building. Ground floor shows space for hospitality units, the upper 4 floors show residential homes. The building is surrounded by a paved open public space with trees.
News archive
- October 2024 (9)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)