It was something of a deja vu moment with developers and the Town Hall unveiling plans worth hundreds of millions of pounds, building hundreds of new homes and creating hundreds of jobs to take Torbay flying into the 21st century.
It took me back more than a dozen years or so when world-renowned regeneration and development giants Sir Robert McAlpine were on the verge of a deal with Torbay Council which would have changed the face and fortunes of the English Riviera.
Council-owned sites had been identified, especially in Torquay and Paignton, as ripe for investment and redevelopment as part of a private/public partnership venture worth a staggering £400 million.
The partnership was struck while Nick Bye was in charge as the Bay's directly-elected Mayor. One of the main pieces of work during his reign was the so-called 'Mayoral Vision' which likewise identified council-owned and other sites that could be sold off and developed with private investment.
But Mr Bye was ousted by incoming mayor Gordon Oliver and suddenly McAlpine were walking and the deal vanished into thin air. Since then the Bay, like so many other seaside Victorian resorts, has fallen steadily into decline, especially in our town centres.
Fast forward to 2023 and 2024 and what looks like a carbon-copy deal between Torbay Council and private sector partners Willmott Dixon and Milligan. They have been in town for a year now and have this week taken the wraps off plans for a new Torbay.
The council has said: "Over the past 12 months, the public and private sector partnership has made significant strides forward in reviewing, developing and evaluating the viability of bay-wide transformational schemes that will revolutionise how Torbay’s town centres work in the future."
These will include six sites in Torquay and Paignton; up to 700 homes including new homes for sale and rent, extra care and affordable homes; new healthcare facilities including diagnostics centres and GP surgeries; new employment opportunities in construction, healthcare, retail, leisure and hospitality, and opportunities for skills development; a new high-end boutique hotel; new independent cafes and restaurants; new public squares and spaces; and new and improved parking.
The redevelopment of Union Square and The Strand in Torquay as well as the Victoria shopping centre and Crossways site in Paignton will be just the start.
The council adds: "Positive conversations with investors are moving forward and are hoped to be concluded over the coming months, marking yet another significant milestone in Torbay’s ambitious regeneration programme."
The local authority has been buying up properties on the harbour and in the town centre to make sure these projects can happen.
Coincidentally Chris Lewis, the councillor currently with the portfolio for regeneration, had the same job back in 2010 when the McAlpine deal was on the table.
Cllr Lewis says: "We are going back to then. Nick Bye's 'Mayoral Vision' was Union Square, fewer shops, the Victoria Centre, the Paignton Garden Town and all that. But we are too far down the road now compared to then. These people (Wilmott Dixon and Milligan) are experts. These are the people who are going to help us deliver.
"We have bought properties at Union Square. We have bought properties on the Strand. We have flattened Crossways. We are going to flatten Victoria Square and Debenhams. We are getting there. 2010/2011 was a Vision. We are delivering on that Vision."
One of the biggest complaints? Time and the time it has taken to get here.
Cllr Lewis says: "When you think about it, Willmott Dixon and Milligan have only been here for a year. You and I have been here for years and years getting towards where we are. They have had to assess everything, We have bought properties. They have talked to the NHS. They think we have moved quite quickly."
This time the partnership with the private sector is for real and there is no going back. There will be those for and those against the plans. All views will have to be respected and taken into account.
But at the end of the day, this is the Torbay Story being brought to life. Torbay is being given the kiss of life.
Bring it on!
