Government approval to reallocate funding ensures Paignton retains vital investment, ensuring regeneration progress and preventing the loss of funding.

Following discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), we have received approval to reallocate Future High Streets Funding originally earmarked for public realm improvements. The funding will now support the delivery of a much-needed extra-care housing scheme in Paignton.

This decision follows the announcement that public realm works were due to be delayed allowing essential gas pipe replacement works to take place on Sands Road in mid-October. The delay impacted the original start date and risked the funding not being spent within the required timeframe. Reallocating the funding ensures it remains in Paignton and continues to support vital regeneration efforts.

This strategic move will now support the accelerated delivery of c90 extra-care homes and a day centre at the former Crossways Shopping Centre site in the town centre. Subject to planning approval, work on developing the new homes is expected to begin by mid-2026. Delivering the new homes first will unlock further opportunities for the town centre as revenue generated from the housing project will be reinvested into a wider public realm scheme and the development of a Paignton Gateway Transport Hub. These projects will deliver broader benefits by rejuvenating the town centre and helping to create a more accessible, vibrant, and well-connected environment for all.

The idea to rescope the public realm works and develop a transport hub follows recent engagement with the community and our regeneration partners – Willmott Dixon and Milligan. Collectively, stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary sectors have been exploring how the town centre can function more efficiently and effectively, and how key sites can be better linked to support local businesses, transport operators, visitors, active travel initiatives, and all town centre users.

Torbay Road is still set to benefit from public realm improvements, funded through the Future High Streets Fund. We will be engaging with the local community this autumn to gather views and understand priorities for the space.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said; “This funding flexibility reflects the council's commitment to delivering regeneration in Paignton town centre, and ensures that projects remain community focused and led.

“Pausing the public realm works for now wasn’t an easy decision, but due to funding restrictions and other planned works happening in the area impacting on the proposed start date, an alternative option had to be found to avoid losing the funding.

“An enhanced public realm scheme at the main entry point to the town centre is what the community has told us they want, along with a functional and accessible transport hub that would better connect the town centre.

“Initial regeneration proposals don’t always go to plan, but we are one hundred per cent committed to making and delivering on changes to the town centre and ensuring it is fit for the future.”

Paignton’s town centre regeneration programme is now underway, with several exciting projects already in progress to help revitalise the heart of the town.

• Paignton Picture House, the restoration of Europe’s oldest cinema is progressing well and is looking towards reopening in 2026.
• Paignton and Preston Sea Defence, work is due to begin this autumn, work will be carried out in three separate phases for the Paignton part of the project, and a single phase for the Preston part of the project. Work fully concluding in spring 2027.
• Crossways, a revised planning application for c90 extra-care homes and a new purpose-built day centre is being prepared.
• Victoria Centre, part of the site has been demolished and unlocked for redevelopment. Longer-term plans look to provide around 200 new homes on the site.
• Torbay Road, funding is allocated to support public realm improvements. In the autumn community engagement will take place to shape how this funding could be spent.

Additionally, on the outskirts of the town centre, Phase 1 of the Oldway Mansion restoration project is underway, using £8million of government funding, plus £1million committed by the council.