Restoration will take planning and money

At Cabinet this week we welcomed discussing the next steps for Oldway.
Following the extensive public consultation that took place earlier this year, the masterplan was submitted for us to consider.
As I imagined there would be, the result of the consultation was that there is overwhelming public support for creating a community-focused health, wellbeing and creative hub in the historic setting of Oldway.
The key features of the masterplan focus on restoration of the mansion, outbuildings and grounds. It also looks at restoration of the gardens, bringing the Rotunda back into use for family activities, improving the car parking and a new forecourt to create new gathering and event space.
We accepted the recommendations brought forward, which means we can now begin the task of assembling a funding strategy.
Progressing what will be one of the Bay’s most complex regeneration projects.
As with buildings like Oldway though, it will take a lot of planning, work and money, and in the Cabinet report we recognised that the cost of full restoration is forecasted to be in the region of £54million. Having the masterplan though will help us to work with public and private sector partners and look at a co-investment and delivery approach. Other heritage projects around the Bay, show what can be achieved through a partnership approach and by working with the community.
What we do need to focus on as well, is that any final plans for the site do need to ensure that Oldway has a viable and sustainable financial future. We need to ensure Oldway can be enjoyed for many more generations to come.
Given the scale of the challenge, any funding needs to be carefully assessed and decided on merit. What is clear is any improvements will be a long-term project, delivered in phases, which is why all options are being considered. Since the project has been underway, I am glad to say that we have been speaking informally with private sector partners regarding the opportunities for the site.
This project would not also have been possible without support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the work, driven by their passion, already undertaken by the local community.
As well as this, the designation of Torbay as a Heritage Place and the development by Torbay’s Place Leadership Board of the Torbay Story has also elevated the importance of Torbay’s heritage for our place’s future. This has come at a time when we and our partners are increasingly focused on how rich our cultural and heritage opportunities can contribute to better outcomes for you, our community.
It is an exciting time for Oldway, and I am really looking forward to moving this project forward with the support and help from all those involved. To start this off, at Cabinet we also considered and approved funding of £1million to allow for essential repair work to be carried out to the main mansion. This will be starting soon and will primarily ensure the building becomes water tight.
I wanted to finish this week’s column with a reminder about the fantastic Bay of Lights Trail that was switched on last week. Following the success of last year’s trail, this year has some great new additions added to it, including the amazing glow up Octopus on Beacon Quay. Also included this year are two more of the tall light up musical Christmas Trees. One can be found by the Geo Park in Paignton and the other on the Harbour in Brixham.
I want to thank all the local businesses who have supported and sponsored this year’s installations. By working together we can really put on a great Christmas show.
The lights are turned on at 4.30 pm every day and the trail is running until 2nd January 2024 so there is plenty of time to wrap up warm and take a stroll along our lovely seafronts to see the amazing light show.