Jim Parker: It's Paignton's turn to build a brighter future

It looks as if the long-awaited revamp for The Strand area on Torquay Harbourside is finally nearing an end. All will be revealed when the wraps come off the new-look promenade to coincide with the switch-on of the Bay of Lights illumination trail and festive extravaganza on November 29.

But meanwhile, let's turn our attention to Paignton.

It's a town close to my heart after working out of an office in Victoria Street as a trainee and then senior reporter/news editor with the old Torbay News and Sunday Independent. In fact, 'Parker's Paignton' was my first column when I moved to the Herald Express many moons ago—this is my 50th year as a journalist (thought I would throw that one in there).

Paignton was a vibrant town and community. On my regular 'calls' list was always Pat and Ina Fudge at the sadly demolished Gerston pub (home to the town's detectives!), the former Pickwick pub, a chat with 'Twitcher' Clarke at the local cobblers, a seafront view with Curly Fields at the once Casino, and a coffee and catch up with the late Paul Forsey, boss of Hyde Road's then Reads estate agents and of chamber of trade and Rotary fame, who knew everybody and everything that was happening in the town.

Happy days from a different, golden era. There is no point looking back or lamenting the fact that Paignton, just like so many other seaside towns, has lost some of its sparkle. It's time to look forward. And now people are being given the chance to have a glimpse and have a say in that future.

Much of the £13 million plus from the government's Future High Streets funding pot is still to be spent on regeneration schemes aimed at giving Paignton that bright new future. Developers Willmott Dixon and Milligan are now working with Torbay Council to deliver those game-changing projects in a public/private sector partnership.

Residents are being given the chance to talk to councillors and officers about those major regeneration schemes.

The next 'Resident Engagement Event' is being held on Saturday, November 23, from an event outside Iceland in the town centre between 10am and 4pm. The focus of this event is on the redevelopment and improvement projects currently underway or about to get underway in the town.

Residential plans for the demolished Crossways shopping centre and the redevelopment of Station Square building are bound to be a topic for conversation.

So, too, will be:

The Victoria Centre, which is the largest and most comprehensive redevelopment opportunity in the town centre.

The council has already started to unlock the site for redevelopment by demolishing the former Garfield Road car park. The future scheme is for around 200 new homes, which the council says will rejuvenate the area and attract businesses back into the town.

It is planned to start demolishing the Victoria multi-storey car park early next year, with the rest of the site being knocked down in controlled phases throughout 2025. The site will be temporarily returned to a surface-level car park while work to secure planning and an investor/developer continues.

Paignton and Preston sea defence and public realm schemes. A planning application for the Coastal Flood Protection Scheme was granted planning this June.

The scheme has evolved into a tiered sea defence with enhanced placemaking in the seafront areas. This transition has been informed by consultation feedback from residents and stakeholders.

The council says the development will provide high-quality coastal defences with enhanced public spaces, essential to protecting the future of Paignton and Preston seafronts, residential properties, businesses, and the town centre.

Oldway Mansion has been at the heart of Paignton for many years and is one of the largest and grandest Victorian buildings in the Southwest.

The much-loved community asset needs a new lease of life, and the council says it is committed to identifying a ‘sustainable and resilient future for the building’.

The council secured nearly £240,000 to run a ‘Developing a Resilient Future for Oldway’ project that explored and considered longer-term options for Oldway, the wider estate, and gardens and produced a detailed masterplan and conservation management strategy.

A special project team has been assembled and will be delivering Phase 1 of the restoration project, which is being funded by £1 million from the local authority and £8 million of government funding.

Early in the New Year, scaffolding will be erected in areas of the main mansion in preparation for roof repair work to begin. There are approximately 13 different types of roofs on the main mansion, meaning that one section at a time will be carefully repaired. Roof repair work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The council says the cost of fully restoring Oldway Mansion is forecasted to be in the region of £54 million. A ‘co-investment and delivery approach’ will be needed, meaning restoration is likely to be phased over several years.

Chris Lewis, a Preston councillor and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth, said: "The way we use our town centres has changed. We are at the start of some significant changes being made to Paignton. The end result will see the provision of much-needed housing for local people, the area rejuvenated, and businesses being attracted back into the town. Alongside this, the masterplan for the seafront areas will protect the town from rising sea levels and flooding.

“I’d encourage anyone who lives or works in the bay to come along to the engagement event and have a chat with us to fully understand our plans to ensure Paignton’s town centre and high street remain fit for the future.”

So, Torquay is finally moving, and Now is the Time for Paignton. Just a pity, Pat, Ina, Mr Forsey and the rest won't be around to see it....