The five remaining business cases in the Torquay Town Investment Plan are set to be submitted to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). Their anticipated approval will allow for the development of the detail of the projects to be worked up – turning a vision into reality.
Funded by £21.9m of Town Deal grant secured in the autumn of last year, the latest submissions build on the business cases for Edginswell Rail Station, the Harbour Public Realm and Stronger Future projects that were approved in July 2021.
The projects will deliver a range of benefits which are expected to include increased footfall and visitors in the town centre, improved journey times and access into and around Torbay, an improved cultural and tourism offer, higher skill levels and more jobs.
All projects within the Town Investment Plan provide a once in a generation opportunity to bring about positive change to the town centre.
Three projects within key public areas within Torquay have already benefitted from £750,000 of enhancements using accelerated funding from the Town Deal. Further projects are due to come online in early 2022 that will offer more opportunities for people to connect all year round with the harbour and surrounding area.
Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council said; “Approval of these five business cases will allow us to unlock the next instalment of the £21.9m awarded to Torquay from the Town’s Fund. Like the other Town Investment Plan projects, they will help us to deliver a high quality, vibrant town centre that is fit for the future. It’s exciting to see the regeneration vision for Torbay as a whole start to come to life, residents will get to see more and more happening as we move into 2022.”
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council said; “Torbay is entering into a once in a generation programme of works that are going to improve the way in which our town centres work for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. By giving the go-ahead for these latest business cases to be submitted, we move our 2030 vision for Torbay one step closer. Not only that, but it allows Torbay to be at the forefront of attracting additional private and other public sector investment, that will bring about more employment and training opportunities across a broad range of sectors.”
Vince Flower, Chairman of the Town Board, said; “Through the Town Investment Plan, we want to create high quality, vibrant town centre, a better connect and more accessible place and a high-quality economy. All of the business cases that have been submitted fulfil that vision, and myself along with the Town Board are grateful to the local community for their ongoing support which has helped shape the plans.”
This is an exciting time for Torbay with a range of multi-million-pound projects in the pipeline to make spaces where people can thrive. These include £21.9m for Torquay Towns Fund, plus £13.36m for the Future High Street Fund for Paignton. This is in addition to a new ‘Torquay Gateway’ train station for the Edginswell area, with £7.8m awarded from Network Rail and Department for its development. 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 recently received a share of £1m secured through the Brownfield Land Release Fund.
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