£16 million boost as Torbay 'Devo' deal gets go ahead

A multi-million pound cash injection to provide more affordable homes, sheltered accommodation, green jobs and business growth in Devon and Torbay has been confirmed by Government.

More than £8 million will be spent on housing projects in East, North, Mid and West Devon, the South Hams and Torbay.

They are part of the £16 million of capital funding from Devon County Council and Torbay Council’s devolution deal.

The funding will now enable 16 projects to progress, accelerating Devon and Torbay’s transition to a net-zero economy and capitalising on the area’s world-leading expertise in green science and technology. 

The schemes have been developed by district councils, key business organisations, training providers and other selected organisations who were invited to put forward schemes which could meet the requirements of Devon and Torbay’s devolution proposal.

Projects include:

• Torbay Council will repurpose holiday/visitor accommodation to create up to 36 affordable homes
• Development of a Green Skills and Energy Centre at South Devon College with the installation of green energy training equipment

There will also be the improvement of an existing training facility at the Apricot Centre near Totnes which provides rural and agri-ecological skills for the rural economy.

Two feasibility studies will be undertaken – South Hams District Council will explore an electric vehicle solar canopy for Dartmouth park and ride, and Teignbridge District Council will consider a deep geothermal well at Heathfield near Newton Abbot.

South Hams District Council are carrying out two essential renovation projects for temporary accommodation to tackle the very acute needs of the housing crisis.

A Green Impact Fund is also being launched by Devon County Council to provide capital funding support to enable businesses and community organisations to adopt and implement sustainable products and technologies.

Councillor James McInnes, Leader of Devon County Council, said: "The confirmation of the funding from Government means that we can now issue grant agreements to each of the 16 projects. These initiatives, across Devon and Torbay, are wide ranging but they support a number of our key devolution ambitions including the delivery of local housing priorities, net zero targets and development of green skills."

Councillor Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: "These projects will make a vital contribution to closing the gap between our region’s performance and the rest of the UK, which is precisely what our devolution deal is intended for. Given the timescales set by the Government to use the funding, the partners involved have had to balance deliverability and impact. I’ve no doubt all of the projects will successfully achieve both and help guide our future investment decisions."

Projects include

£2 million – Torbay Council (Hotels to Homes) – The Council will repurpose holiday/visitor accommodation into affordable homes. This will address the acute housing supply needs of Torbay. The project will see the acquisition of properties to deliver 18-36 new housing units.

£1,866,378 – Devon County Council (Green Business Grants) – Green Business Grants to provide capital funding support for business and community organisations.

£1.5 million – South Devon College (Green Skills and Energy Centre) – Development of a Green Skills and Energy Centre – creating additional teaching and associated space so that a range of green energy training equipment can be installed.

£300,000 – South Hams District Council (Westville Flats) – Redevelopment of a recently acquired property in Kingsbridge that can provide nine units of supported accommodation. These will primarily be for single homeless people who have complex needs including homeless care leavers. The development will also include an office base from which the Council’s temporary accommodation support worker and other agencies will deliver support.

£279,180 – Apricot Centre (Training building at Huxhams Cross Farm, Totnes) – Extension and improvement of the existing training building at Huxhams Cross Farm to provide enhanced training and design consultancy. This will support the business to continue to provide rural and agri-ecological skills for rural economy.

£80,000 – Teignbridge District Council (Heathfield Geothermal Feasibility Study) – A feasibility study for a deep geothermal well within the area of Newton Abbot and its surroundings.

£50,000 – South Hams District Council (Dartmouth Electric Vehicle Solar Canopy) – A feasibility study for the following developments in Dartmouth:
• Solar photo voltaic canopy above the Park and Ride car park
• A live wire connection to the Health Hub to reduce their carbon footprint
• Electric vehicle rapid chargers for Park and Ride visitors
• Battery storage to provide grid stabilisation and commercial betterment