Dave Thomas: It’s a go for the Paignton and Preston Promenade scheme

This week we announced the news that I know has been long awaited, especially for those living in Paignton.

That news regards the work on the Paignton and Preston Promenade will be starting in September this year.

To remind us of the journey we have been on already, early in 2021 we went out to consultation with the initial concept of creating a front line concrete sea wall that ran across the top of the green. The result of that consultation was loud and clear, you understood we needed to protect Paignton town centre and those around Preston, which includes over 350 businesses and residential properties from the rising sea levels that are being experienced, but the wall needed to fit better into the wider area. 

We, like you, want to protect and improve our precious open spaces along the seafront. This is why with this feedback and involving you, we developed the masterplan for the seafronts in Paignton and Preston. The plan also looks at creating a happy, healthy and vibrant place that celebrates the special qualities of our seafront areas.

After nine months of consultation, which included three phases, taking on board all the things that you love and enjoy about the area, the final scheme and masterplan was approved by the planning committee with over 90% of those who responded agreeing with and approving of the final scheme. 

It has taken us longer than we had hoped to get to the construction phase, and we have now appointed our preferred developer to deliver the scheme. Knights Brown will be carrying out the construction for us and we are working with them to agree the phases.

What we do know right now, is that the Paignton development will be starting from 22 September 2025 with the whole scheme being completed by May 2027. For the Preston side, development will be carried out in one go between September this year with completion being in December 2026.

This does mean that the beach huts on Preston will not be able to be on site for the summer season of 2026. During the development, the area will be subject to noise and dust and Knights Brown will need to be following strict Health and Safety guidelines to deliver the scheme. As expected, this will be impacting the prom and at times, access to Preston beach will be restricted too. 

We know that this isn’t ideal, especially as the beach huts at Preston are well used and well loved. Losing a season is disappointing and believe me, the decision has not been taken easily. But as we know, delivering schemes likes this are going to cause disruption. As mentioned earlier, the scheme is essential to protect the long-term future and enjoyment of those who use and live in the area.

We have been in contact with those who have huts on Preston and will ensure we are in regularly contact with them, answering their questions and providing updates on the scheme. We have been engaging with the local businesses in the area as well since the first consultation, and this will also continue. 

It is good to get one of the major regeneration schemes in Paignton moving forward. This scheme is one of many, and over the next few years progress will be seen across the town to improve the area for you. Bringing in much needed housing and improving the town centre so that we all have a space that we are proud of.

To keep up to date with how the Paignton and Preston Promenade and Sea Defence scheme is progressing, I highly recommend that you sign up to our weekly eNewsletter One Torbay. You can do this by visiting www.torbay.gov.uk/onetorbay.