Jim Parker: How about adding a touch of colour to the Torquay harbour hotel plans?

Computer generated imagery is what it says on the tin — creating images and animations by using computer software rather than traditional methods.
It is used more and more by architects these days who want to show off the designs of their projects in the best possible way and in the best light.
Nothing wrong with that as long as it is emphasised the images are created in this format.
The computer generated look for the Strand development of Torquay harbourside certainly shows the absolute best of what is being planned. And, fully accepting the part played by CGI, for what it is worth I think the plans are simply stunning.
The proposals look to deliver a 154-bedroom high quality and boutique hotel including a rooftop terrace and ground floor space for food, drink and retail uses as well as an eye-catching stairway linking the charm of the harbourside past with the environment of a modern waterfront.
The massive scheme is being delivered by Torbay Council and its private sector regeneration partners Milligan and Willmott Dixon.
The team working on the design say they have been taking inspiration from Torbay’s Victorian heritage and the golden era of travel when the area was celebrated as a luxurious seaside destination.
The ‘evolving design’ has sought to reintroduce a new sense of ‘grandeur, combining historical charm with contemporary elegance to create a dynamic and inviting destination’ for local people and visitors.
The partners reveal: “The design features a sweeping staircase that would better connect the harbourside with The Terrace and complement recently completed harbourside public realm works.”
The development has captured the imagination of hundreds of people who have given their views in recent consultation events. A lot of them are positive and fully support the facelift.
The project team made up of council officers and Torbay’s regeneration partnership sought feedback from the local community in several ways.
Over the month they met and engaged with business forums and businesses and members of the public at two consultation events.
Importantly, young people were given the chance to comment with presentations to SEND learners at South Devon College, Year 5 students from Ellacombe primary school, and Year 10 work experience students from Churston Grammar school.
It all equated to around 500 face-to-face conversations as well as hundreds of responses to an online consultation questionnaire.
A council official said: “The team have really wanted to engage with young people and are pleased they had the opportunity to speak to young learners of all ages and abilities. They have all shown a keen interest in the scheme.”
She added: “Initial feedback determines that people were impressed with the design proposals, with the majority of people positive about the proposals.
“One 10-year-old the team spoke to, summed up the need for change beautifully: ‘if we don’t change things, then nothing will change’.”
The Town Hall says the Strand project will provide local people with employment opportunities both through the construction phase and once the hotel and commercial units are operational.
The spokesman said: “The more we can provide for visitors, the more visitors we can attract, the more visitors we attract, the more investment we will see in our towns from quality retailers both independent and national.
“We are already starting to see a lot of private sector investment around the town. Everything is beginning to work together as it should.”
She also revealed: “The project team are now working on a Virtual Reality experience that people visiting the harbourside will be able to engage with using their mobile phones.
The proposals are part of the wider regeneration plans to revitalise Torquay town centre, supported by millions of pounds of public sector money secured for the town including the UK government’s Town Deals Fund and funding committed by Torbay Council through its Growth Fund.
Torbay Council purchased 12-14 The Strand (former Debenhams building) in 2020, with the ambition to redevelop the site.
Planning permission for a mixed-use scheme was granted in 2023. Well publicised external economic factors made the scheme financially unviable for the council, leading to the decision to seek a regeneration partner and in came Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
The council says on its website: “Torquay town centre is undergoing significant redevelopment, with improvements already underway along the harbourfront. The regeneration of this site will help bring more people into the town, breathe new life into the area, and support its future as a vibrant place to live, work, visit and invest in.
“Importantly, it’s designed to complement and support existing local businesses, helping to create new opportunities for the whole community.”
The local authority says the project would deliver a much-needed economic boost and create over 150 full time jobs in the Bay.
It is predicted to attract more than 86,000 visitors over the next 30 years, which could generate approximately £32 million in wages for those employed through the project.
The local authority maintains improvements to public spaces and increased activity in the area will reduce antisocial behaviour.
It adds: “Reducing the number of empty shops will help make the town centre more vibrant, increasing footfall and making it a more welcoming place for people to visit and spend time.
“The scheme will improve the appearance of The Strand by modernising and revitalising buildings that vary in terms of their appearance and condition, helping to breathe new life into the area.”
It was interesting to see a piece in the Daily Express about a visit to Torquay talking to locals and visitors alike. More on that next week.
But their writer summed things up nicely when they wrote: “What we keep hearing throughout the day is how friendly the town is, how the waterside is the star of the show, and that Torquay is trying to reinvent itself.
“This summer, after consulting with residents and businesses, the council will present its planning application for The Strand.
“As locals remain split on the state of their town, Torquay may become completely unrecognisable by 2029.”
Unrecognisable in the best possible way without the use of CGI…

And while I have you and waterfront matters, we have just returned after a short break at a smallish seaside resort called Cala Bona in Majorca.
During an evening stroll on the prom one hotel in particular stood out as what must have been LED lighting of some sort changed the colour of its facade and balconies into a variety of brilliant colours. That was followed a night later with a pink frontage.
How about something like that for our new Hotel on The Strand?
Just putting it out there…