Torquay's 'jewel in crown' to sparkle again

Two landmark locations along Torquay's prime waterfront are being earmarked for game-changing regeneration projects to help turn the tide in the Bay.

Preliminary plans for a £70 million, high-class hotel have been unveiled for the former Debenhams department store site on the main harbourside.

And within days came news of a potential new tenant for the closed former marine aviary Living Coasts attraction just a stone's throw away at Beacon Cove with a world-pioneering marine restoration company in the frame to use part of the site.

There is also even hope there may be some movement at last on the future of the Pavilion which would make it a hat-trick of unrivalled regeneration projects.

Torbay Council leader Dave Thomas said: "The harbour and waterfront have always been thought of as Torquay's jewel in the crown. The pieces are finally being pulled together."

His deputy Chris Lewis said: "This could be a life changer for Torquay and Torbay."

Torbay regeneration partnership comprising Torbay Council and private sector developers and investors Willmott Dixon and Milligan, have for the first time shared images of the harbour and hotel scheme on the Strand that will breathe new life into the area. 

They say the scheme would create year-round employment and boost the local economy, providing about 80 full-time equivalent jobs, £32 million in wages and 86,000 visitors over a 30-year period. 

A sweeping staircase would better connect the harbourside with The Terrace above. The 0.91-acre site overlooks the south-facing picturesque harbourside, offering views of the inner harbour and beyond.

The partnership says: "It is this unique selling point that makes the scheme an attractive proposition for an investor or developer, to deliver a 154-bedroom hotel with ground floor space for commercial use, promoting the best of Devon. The delivery of the scheme, estimated to be in the region of £70 million, would significantly increase the appeal and land value of other town centre opportunities and developments, and attract new visitors."

The council had ambitions to redevelop 12-14 The Strand (former Debenhams building) after they purchased it in 2020. Planning was granted for a mixed-use scheme in 2023. Since then, a range of well publicised external economic factors deemed the scheme not financially viable for the council, leading them to seek a regeneration partner. Wilmott Dixon and Milligan were appointed as Torbay’s regeneration partners in autumn 2023. In 18 months, the expertise of the partnership has gathered significant momentum in bringing forward multiple sites for redevelopment. 

ARC marine, a leader in marine habitat restoration and subsea and coastal protection technology, has been identified as one of the potential new partners for the Living Coasts site.

They signed an exclusivity agreement with landlords Torbay Council and current tenants and Paignton Zoo owners the Wild Planet Trust. It is being seen as the first major step towards transforming the former attraction into a state-of-the-art Marine Restoration Centre. 

All parties have now instructed legal counsel to negotiate lease terms for ARC marine to take on the closed site. The company has secured significant investment to redevelop the location, which will serve as both its operational headquarters and Research and Development hub for ocean conservation and habitat restoration. 

The planned Marine Restoration Centre will focus on cutting-edge research, innovation, education and outreach, helping to restore marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable blue economy initiatives. ARC marine is already delivering large-scale marine restoration projects in the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and this new facility will provide a unique and purpose-built space as a dedicated base for its expanding international operations.

Tom Birbeck, Founder and CEO of ARC marine, said: “This is such an exciting milestone for ARC marine, and we are glad to work alongside Torbay Council and the Wild Planet Trust to bring this vision to life. The former Living Coasts site is the perfect facility for us and all of the infrastructure is already in place to carry out testing and development on our nature-based solutions.” 

The tenancy is expected to bring significant benefits to the region, boosting Torbay’s position as a centre for marine research and conservation while creating skilled jobs and opportunities in the local community. Most of the ARC marine team are local to Torbay and have attended South Devon College, University of Plymouth or Exeter and are keen to remain in their hometown but still pursue a career in the marine industry. 

Stephen Kings Interim CEO Wild Planet Trust, added: "The Trustees at Wild Planet Trust have worked hard to find the best company to operate on the former Living Coasts site. We have undergone an open and diligent process and have concluded that ARC marine are that company. As a conservation education and research charity we have noted that ARC marine are local to Torbay, have a wonderful reputation, coupled with exciting visionary plans to move to and then develop the Living Coasts site. ARC marine are very much aligned with Wild Planet Trust's core mission of how to live more sustainably with nature leading to the outcome of 'Helping Halt Species Decline.”

Cllr Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said: “We are thrilled that with the Wild Planet Trust we have been able to work together to find a new user for the prominent harbourside location.  The location lends itself perfectly to be a world class marine research and development hub. What makes this even more special is ARC marine is a local company who already has a base in the area. By keeping their operations within Torbay, they can continue to grow local talent and inspire a new generation of marine conservationists.”

It is believed that ARC would only take up part of the Beacon Cove site - still paving the way for a leisure-type use for what is left.

Cllr Lewis also hinted there may be some progress on finding an 'end user' for the Pavilion which is about to be boarded up while experts assess the cost and extent of damage caused by years of closure.

He said: "At the moment it is still very early days, but we are looking at a heritage, arts theme for the Pavilion. We are talking with the Arts Council, Heritage Lottery and other people to get the finance to be able to produce some kind of heritage/arts hub."

On the harbour scheme, Stuart Harris, CEO for Milligan, said; “The Willmott Dixon Milligan Partnership is incredibly excited to unveil our vision for this landmark scheme, which will redefine Torquay’s harbourside and create a dynamic, vibrant destination.  This is more than just a regeneration project - it’s about delivering something truly special for the town, blending high-quality design with exceptional experiences.

"One of the key design features is a striking new staircase, which will enhance the public realm and provide a seamless connection between the harbourside and The Terrace improving connectivity to the Hilton, Premier Inn, and car park.

"From the boutique hotel to the thoughtfully curated commercial spaces, every aspect of this development is being shaped to celebrate Torquay’s unique character and waterfront setting. We look forward to working with the community to bring this vision to life and make The Strand a place that residents and visitors alike will enjoy for generations to come."

Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land Development at Willmott Dixon, added: "We’re proud to bring forward these bold concepts for the regeneration of the harbour. Working with stakeholders throughout the process has highlighted the positive impact these proposals will have on the local economy and wider bay.”

As part of the evolving design process, the design team will be looking at how historical elements of the former Debenhams building, for example the canopy, can be incorporated into the final design. 

Detailed plans are expected to be available for public consultation during the summer of 2025.