Masterplan to revive Oldway Mansion looks set to be given go-ahead

A new ‘masterplan’ for one of Torbay’s best-loved historic building is likely to get the go-ahead this week, paving the way for a long-awaited £54 million restoration.
A revived and revamped Oldway Mansion could be fully open to the public by the early 2030s, and potential developers have already been in contact.
Members of Torbay Council’s cabinet were debating the final draft of the plan on Tuesday night. If agreed, it will authorise council officers to find commercial partners to help revive the property.
Preston councillor Chris Lewis, in charge of regeneration projects, says 'Now is the Time' to bring Oldway back to life.
He says: “We need to find a long-term solution for Oldway as soon as possible. The time for talking and reports are now over and we have to deliver on what is our Jewel in the Crown.”
He said money would be spent, sooner rather than later, on the immediate problem of making the Mansion wind and watertight and that could be in the region of £1m. "I believe a solution for Oldway can be found and will be found – discussions have taken place for years, now is the time," said Cllr Lewis.
Luxury apartments on the top floors of the mansion are seen as one way of helping to fund the massive cost of the project, the cabinet was being told.
The first phase of any project would be an ‘urgent’ £1 million to stop Oldway suffering any more wear and tear over the next two winters.
After that, an opening phase of restoration would cost £13 million, followed by a £4 million project to restore the Rotunda building next door. That has been used in the past as stables, an engineering works and even a film studio.
The third and largest phase of mansion and garden restoration would cost £35 million, followed by a £2 million parking and landscaping project.
A recent survey of the buildings identified urgent problems with the roof and cracks in the columns supporting it. Rainwater is getting into the building and causing damage inside. Almost 2,000 people took part in a recent public consultation over the future of the buildings and grounds at Oldway, where volunteers have been working on maintenance and improvements.
Torbay Council cabinet members will see the results of a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported study into Oldway’s future. Key features of the masterplan include restoring the mansion, outbuildings and grounds; improving access to the gardens; re-opening the register office and creating a new space for events and gatherings.
High quality apartments on the top floors of the main building would help to fund the project. Government ‘levelling-up’ and heritage funds could also be tapped into.
A report to the cabinet explains: “There is an understanding that the site needs to generate enough income to ensure its future upkeep and to minimise costs to the council.
“To do that, there is a need for external funding and partnering opportunities so that the site does not present future costs to the council. This will require acceptance of some form of private or exclusive use of areas, for instance the upper floors of the mansion and potentially parts of restored outbuildings.”
There have already been discussions over creating a climbing and high-wires family activity centre in the Rotunda building.
The report also reveals that potential developers have already been in touch with the council to find out what it plans to do with Oldway. After the cabinet meeting there is likely to be a formal call for interested parties to come forward.
The report goes on to stress that it will not be possible for the council to resolve Oldway’s problems on its own, and investment from the public and private sectors will be needed.