Union Square plan awaits crunch vote soon

D-Day is looming for a £70 million project which will change the face of Torquay town centre — and provide 100 new homes at the same time.

A decision is expected this summer on plans to transform the Union Square shopping centre in the middle of the high street.

Torbay Council wants the go-ahead to begin work on a major redevelopment of the complex off Union Street.

The scheme will see the existing shopping centre demolished to make way for around 100 new homes with healthcare facilities and retail units. The existing multi-storey car park will stay, while the historic town centre market will be ‘retained and revitalised’, according to the council.

Details of the make-up of the scheme are being revealed. When completed, the project will have 102 new homes: six studios, 56 one-bedroom apartments and 40 two-bedroom apartments. 

The aim, it says, is to reduce the number of empty shops in the town centre. During the project, the shops in Union Square will stay open, as will shops and businesses in Union Street and Market Street.

A consultation last year came out strongly in favour of the council’s plans.

A planning application has now been put in for the redevelopment, and a decision on it is expected this summer. If it is approved, construction will begin next year.

The development has not yet been funded, but the council says applying for planning permission will confirm that the scheme is viable and will help to attract investors. 

The project has secured £11 million in Town Deal funding from the government.

Above: Union Square, Torquay. Image: Google Street View

Critics said the shopping centre could be retained if new tenants could be found for some empty units, but the council replied: “The shopping centre layout is old and doesn’t fit today’s retail needs. Redeveloping the site helps us build a lively mixed-use area.

“This will include shops, leisure areas, and homes that better serve the community.”

The council says it will work with local businesses to minimise disruption during construction, and will host events, promotions and community activities to boost footfall.

Councillors say Union Square is a ‘key focus area’ where development can lead to more regeneration in the town centre.

It is one of the major regeneration sites being developed as part of the public/private sector regeneration partnership between Torbay Council and developers Willmott Dixon and Milligan.