Last week, our CEO Stuart Harris joined representatives from Torbay Council and Turley presenting and running a workshop at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) CPD day at Sandy Park, Exeter. It was attended by around 200 professionals largely drawn from Local Authorities.
The event focused on the evolving role of urban regeneration in shaping resilient, inclusive, and sustainable town centres — with Torbay’s regeneration partnership highlighted as a case study of effective collaboration and delivery in action.
A Shared Vision for Urban Renewal
During the session, participants discussed the importance of creating vibrant, balanced communities that respond to local needs and opportunities. Key objectives for good-quality regeneration included:
- Mixed-tenure housing and inclusive design to create balanced communities.
- High-quality, distinctive design that enhances local character and sense of place.
- Sustainability and connectivity, including tree canopy cover and rain gardens for urban cooling.
- Public realm and active wellbeing spaces that foster community cohesion.
Survey Insights: What Matters Most for Successful Regeneration
Poll results from the workshop offered valuable insights into national sentiment on regeneration priorities:
- 81% of respondents said mixed-tenure homes have the biggest impact on successful town centre regeneration.
- 74% highlighted the importance of public realm and green spaces, underlining the growing focus on place quality and environmental resilience.
- 45% identified hospitality, food and beverage uses as key to creating vibrant destinations.
- When asked about the role of planning policy, 57% felt it hinders regeneration, while 43% believe it enables — underscoring the need for more flexible, outcome-focused policy frameworks.
Torbay’s Leadership in Regeneration Delivery
Stuart Harris shared insights into the Torbay Regeneration Partnership’s ongoing work, which demonstrates how public-private collaboration can unlock delivery at scale. Against the backdrop of national housing and levelling-up challenges, the Torbay model shows how integrated planning, design, and delivery can generate meaningful social, economic, and environmental value.
A Forward-Looking Perspective
The workshop reaffirmed the importance of coordinated, evidence-based regeneration that balances viability with vision. Notably, 96% of participants identified a scenario focused on sustainable design and community-led delivery as the most viable — a clear endorsement of approaches that align local priorities with practical deliverability.
