- Torbay Council has announced a new public and private sector Regeneration Partnership which will accelerate the delivery of key projects and economic growth for Torbay.
- Milligan and construction firm Willmott Dixon have combined forces to help the Council drive forward ambitious plans for key sites.
- Across multiple sites, the Partnership aims to reshape town centres, improve public realm, increase town centre living, repurpose excess retail and vacant shops and improve the connectivity between town centres.
Torbay Council has announced a Regeneration Partnership with development partners Willmott Dixon and Milligan to help it drive forward ambitious plans for key sites. The Partnership means the Council will be able to draw on the strength and expertise of both Milligan and Willmott Dixon who each have an impressive track record of working with local authorities to deliver regeneration projects across the UK.
The innovative and forward-thinking arrangement is an important milestone in the delivery of the Council’s growth and regeneration programme and a significant display of confidence in Torbay’s economic future.
The partners will work initially on key projects already awarded UK Government funding in Torquay and Paignton. The priority programmes are designed to bring confidence, create jobs and homes, and improve the Council’s overall ability to sustain its services.
Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “This is an exciting announcement that will see a step change in our ability to deliver these schemes.
“We are absolutely focused on accelerating the much-needed regeneration projects to ensure Torbay continues to thrive as a place to live, work and visit.
“There are major schemes already under way which show there is huge confidence in Torbay and a bright future for our towns.
“But we know there are challenges and a lot of work still to do, so the Partnership gives a clear signal to everyone that Torbay has an exciting future.
“We are looking forward to working closely with our partners at Willmott Dixon and Milligan to deliver the projects that we all want to see coming to life.
“Our partners understand our values and share our vision about what we want to achieve for our community by providing spaces for them to thrive.
“They recognise the vision that Torbay has developed through the Torbay Story and understand the social value objectives of the Council.
“We have made a lot of progress already, but agreeing this Regeneration Partnership is a hugely significant milestone.
“We are absolutely committed to now push ahead with the economic regeneration that Torbay needs and to turn plans into reality.”
Stuart Harris, Milligan’s CEO said: “Our whole team is thrilled to be playing a leading role in Torbay’s regeneration story alongside Willmott Dixon. We frequently talk about how critical public and private sector collaboration is to regenerating town centres and big repurposing challenges.
“The partnership we’ve formed brings Torbay the best of the skillsets that are needed for a cohesive and effective regeneration strategy that can be delivered with pace.
“We’re confident that Milligan’s track record in repurposing excess retail space and curating and delivering complementary, mixed-use offers in an innovative and well-thought through way, will help bring the Torbay Story to life.”
Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land and Development at Willmott Dixon, said: “Willmott Dixon, which recently was recognised by the Kings’ Awards for Enterprise in the category of Promoting Opportunity, already has a major presence in the region and is currently delivering the Harbour View Hotel in the heart of Torquay for Torbay Council and the four-star Corbyn Head Hotel on Torbay Road.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to help generate further economic growth, create new job opportunities, and encourage more inward investment into Torbay, so this development will make a lasting contribution to the region’s future prosperity.
“In addition to regeneration, it will also give us the opportunity to deliver important social value initiatives throughout the developments that bring tangible benefits to local people in Torbay. This also includes our focus on supporting the ‘local pound’ whenever possible.”
Jim Parker, chairman of the Torbay Place Leadership Board, a public and private sector partnership which has been instrumental in creating the Torbay Story programme to promote investment in Torbay, said: “The regeneration of the Bay has been a long time in the making but now we are at the crossroads to the dawning of a new future and more prosperous era for everybody.
“This partnership is absolutely key to that new journey and is a testament to the power of the Torbay Story – especially how it was used to promote the Bay at the UKREiiF investors event – and the unity and driving force of the Torbay Place Leadership Board. The moment has arrived – now is the time to grab it!”
The Council will continue to work with its partners to make the case for more Government, public and private sector investment for schemes across the Bay. More information about delivery of the individual projects identified as key priorities for the Partnership will follow as detailed programmes are finalised.
Image credit: Torbay Council
Image shows, from left, Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land and Development, Willmott Dixon; Jim Parker, Chairman, Torbay Place Leadership Board; Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader, Torbay Council; Stuart Harris, CEO, Milligan; Cllr David Thomas, Leader, Torbay Council; Malcolm Coe, Director of Finance, Torbay Council; Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive, Torbay Council; Rob Woolcock, Director of Operations, Willmott Dixon.
