Community groups and those who live in Torquay are being invited to come forward with ideas to help regenerate the town.

The ‘once in a generation’ funding is being given to Torquay by central Government as part of their Plan for Neighbourhoods’ scheme because of levels of deprivation in the town. Torquay was the only town in the South West to qualify.

Now Torbay Communities, on behalf of the Torquay Place Leadership Board who are responsible for the funding, want to hear from people with ideas for specific initiatives. They are also reaching out across Torquay to get a flavour of what things they would like to see change for the better. Torbay Communities will be attending community groups and events throughout the summer.

£2million of funding will be released each year starting in April 2026. Three quarters of the funds must be spent on building facilities. One quarter to be spent on services or activities.

The newly formed Torquay Place Leadership Board is made up of community members, statutory members, businesses, and education representatives and are responsible for bringing views together. They will review the feedback and ideas and will develop a plan – initially for the first four years. The board will ‘follow the data’ to try to prioritise schemes that will bring the most benefit to people in Torquay and are meeting in early September to look at initial ideas – and to work up plans into a formal business case to be submitted by the end of November.

There is support being put in place from Torbay Communities for groups that have good ideas but are unsure how to turn them into a case for change.

Jim Parker, Chairman of Torbay and Torquay Place Leadership Boards said:

“This funding has the potential to change some of the things holding people in Torquay back. We want to make Torquay a thriving place with vibrant neighbourhoods and a welcoming active town centre, building on the improvements that have already taken place.”

“The plan needs to bring people together so we can feel proud of our area and safe in our streets. This funding is aimed at schemes that will improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods all across Torquay and not just our town centres and housing. That’s why it’s so important the community and people decide.”

“These are projects driven by the community for the community, powered by our people to enhance the lives of all residents, especially those who live in deprived areas. They are not decided by the Council. We must embrace this once in a generation funding opportunity with open arms. It has real potential to make lasting change, so let’s make it count.”

The money can be spent on physical improvements in Torquay, including:

• Improving neighbourhoods
• Improving the town centre
• Housing

Or it can be spent on other areas including:

• Arts, culture and heritage
• Crime and safety
• Transport
• Education and opportunity
• Work and skills
• Health
• Wellbeing and sport

The questionnaire to submit feedback and the Proposal Form are available online. Paper copies of both forms will be available at Torquay Library from Monday 11 August.

Full details about the Plan for Neighbourhood funding can be found on gov.uk. 

More information about the Torquay Place Leadership Board

Torquay has been awarded £20m in government funding from a scheme that aims to “restore pride” in neighbourhoods.

Torquay will be given the funding over the next decade to “deliver meaningful change”, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said. It is one of just 75 towns to receive funding from the £1.5bn pot

To ensure this funding is delivered for the community by the community, the Torquay Place Leadership Board has been created, and the membership includes the organisations listed below. The Board will act as a partnership ‘neighbourhood board’ and will work with Torbay Council (as defined by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidelines)  

Its primary role is to create a bespoke and targeted 10-year Regeneration Plan for a geographically designated area of Torquay around key themes to improve lives of residents. This includes an initial four-year Investment Plan ready for delivery from April 2026. The Board are accountable for the delivery of that Plan.  

Membership of Torquay Place Leadership Board includes:

• Torbay Place Leadership Board
• Torbay Communities
• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
• Torbay Council including Leader of the Council and Torquay Ward Councillors
• Member of Parliament for the Torbay Constituency
• Devon and Cornwall Police
• Sound Communities
• Windmill Centre
• Torquay Town Deal Board
• South Devon College
• Melville Community Group
• English Riviera BID Company
• Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner
• Faith Community
• Stagecoach South West
• Devon Chamber of Commerce
• Torquay based Community Partnerships
• Torbay Business Forum
• Sanctuary Housing
• Turning Heads
• Department of Work and Pensions Torquay
• Torquay United