Bid to build new homes for local people in Paignton

A bid to build more than 100 new homes for local residents is due to take a step forward tomorrow.

Torbay Council’s Cabinet will be considering a recommendation that could see a successful registered provider - also known as a social housing provider - appointed to deliver new homes at Preston Down Road, Paignton.

If the recommendation is agreed by the Council Cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday, March 21), the yet-to-be-announced registered provider will work with Torbay Council to deliver more than 100 homes for local people.

Preston Down Road has been identified in the Local Plan for housing allocation, and the development of this site will help the council in its response to the ongoing ‘housing crisis’.

By appointing a delivery partner, Torbay Council will be looking to exceed the 30 per cent minimum target of delivering social rented housing on the site, as well as offering homes for people with learning disabilities.

Detailed designs and a construction plan will be worked through with the delivery partner and pending a successful planning application, the mixed development site could see homes available by 2026.

Cllr Darren Cowell, deputy leader of Torbay Council, said; “Over recent years we have worked hard to improve relationships with our housing sector partners to ensure collectively we are doing all we can to provide much needed, suitable, high-quality, and affordable housing. Approving this recommendation could pave the way for working in a similar way on other developments.”

Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, tourism and housing for Torbay Council, said: “By appointing and working with a delivery partner we can ensure that this site can be delivered more quickly and with less financial risk to the council. Our priority is supplying more affordable homes for local people which we are doing through a range of different ways.”

The recommended delivery partner has been subject to the council’s procurement policy and evaluation process to ensure the submission met all requirements of the tender process.

The registered provider will be announced once all legal processes and agreements have been finalised.

Cabinet will be making their recommendation at the meeting taking place at 5.30pm on Tuesday, March 21. This meeting will be live streamed on the council’s YouTube channel. To watch the meeting live, visit www.youtube.com/user/torbaycouncil