Torbay Council have revealed that a demolition contractor has started work to bring the former Crossways shopping centre in Paignton town centre down.
Gilpin Demolition Group has already started work on the site by removing the final fixtures and fittings from the units so work can begin to safely remove a significant amount of asbestos.
Much of this initial work has been taking place behind the safety hoarding which was installed around the site at the end of 2022.
Paignton residents will start to see the building finally come down in April 2023, with full demolition works lasting around 28-weeks.
The demolition process is carefully managed to ensure minimal disruption to nearby businesses and residents. Anyone directly affected by the demolition works will be provided with information from Gilpin Demolition Group in advance of any significant works taking place.
Prior to any visible works happening, the site must be made safe and any remaining utility service connections must be cut off, capped or rerouted.
Cllr Christine Carter, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services for Torbay Council, said; “After a complex and lengthy process, we are thrilled that the community will now start to see more and more activity happening at this site. It’s been an eye sore for such a long time and had such a negative impact on Paignton town centre, but we are there with starting the next chapter for Crossways which is one of the key projects in our Future Hight Streets Fund programme.”
Cllr Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health for Torbay Council, said; “With visible demolition works now underway we are edging ever closer to delivering high quality suitable homes for local people that meet their specific care and support needs. With fewer available properties than ever before, it’s imperative that we deliver these homes.”
Planning permission has already been granted for the site to provide up to 90 extra care and sheltered housing units and commercial space on the ground floor for businesses. Torbay Council’s wholly owned company TorVista Homes Limited will own the homes once they are completed. The homes which are due to be completed in 2026 will be available as affordable housing for local residents.
Torbay Council would like to remind residents that hoarding is in place for safety reasons as demolition works get underway. Some of the work that happens before buildings come down includes the removal of harmful substances such as asbestos or investigative ground works. All sites with hoarding around them are regularly monitored by CCTV and visited by security patrols. For your own safety, do not attempt to enter any sites and buildings where safety hoarding is in place. If you see anyone attempting to enter sites or causing damage to the hoarding, please report to the police.
This project is one of several projects in Paignton that is benefitting from £13.36million of funding Torbay Council secured from the Future High Streets Fund in December 2020. Other projects benefitting from this funding include Station Square, Torbay Road, Paignton Picture House, the Victoria Centre, and Paignton and Preston Seafront Public Realm.
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