Multi-million pound partnership to accelerate economic growth

A partnership with two of the country's biggest international developers is set to take Torbay blazing into the 21st century.
The new public and private sector partnership, worth many millions of pounds, has been set up to accelerate economic growth and regeneration in the English Riviera.

Torbay Council has announced it will be working 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 businesses with 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.
It is also a significant display of confidence in the economic future of the resort.
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.
The schemes are designed to: reshape the town centres; improve the public realm; increase town centre living; reduce the number of empty shops and improve the connectivity of town centres.
Council leader David Thomas 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.”

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.
“Willmott Dixon is proud to be part of this significant partnership with Milligan and Torbay Council, and we are looking forward to working together to create a catalyst for change across the Bay, continuing and building upon the council's inspired 'Torbay Story' corporate vision.

“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.” 

Stuart Harris, CEO for developer Milligan, 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.”

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 UREiiF 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 creation of the partnership will provide reassurance to investor and occupier markets of the opportunities that exist within Torbay.

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."