The Government has today (Thursday 16th May 2024) confirmed it will provide £8m of funding for Oldway Mansion’s regeneration, as part of a new package of Levelling Up Funding worth £20.25m for our bay.
The latest package of regeneration support from the Conservative Government for our bay includes £8m of funding for the first phase of the Oldway Masterplan. The focus of the work at Oldway will be on the remedial work which is needed to secure both key parts of the building and further funding to re-open more of the mansion.
This latest funding is in addition to the £1m budget for Oldway already agreed by the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council. Work is also continuing to secure additional support for Oldway from groups such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Alongside the major funding boost for Oldway, a further £7m is being provided to support work to improve the sea defences and public realm at Paignton and Preston.
Other projects included within the Levelling Up Partnership funding package are:
- Accommodation repurposing - A further £3m has also been secured towards converting derelict or unused holiday accommodation into permanent homes for residents.
- Melville Square (£240,000) - A community led public realm improvement project in an area of high deprivation in Torquay Town Centre.
- People's Parkfield (£200,000) - Funding to convert Parkfield House into a sustainable community asset.
Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster said:
“This is a massive boost for our bay from the Conservative Government, meaning we can finally get major refurbishment work underway at Oldway Mansion, the jewel in our bay’s crown.
“During months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, I have been working with the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council, Government Ministers and many local partners to get this deal over the line. The funding for Oldway, together with the support secured for Paignton’s Sea Defences, Housing, Parkfield and Melville Square, makes this a great day for our bay.”
The Full List of Schemes to be funded by the new Levelling Up Partnership:
Paignton and Preston Sea Defences (£7m)
Funding to support public realm improvements as part of a revised coastal defences scheme.
This will improve access to the natural environment and help design out anti-social behaviour. The overall project started in July 2023 with a planned completion in March 2027. (The LUP funding part of the project - April 2024 until March 2025).
Cultural Infrastructure (£500k)
Torbay is designated as a "Levelling Up for Culture" area.
Partners have identified the potential to improve the cultural infrastructure across Torbay by creating better access to venues where performances, workshops and other creative and cultural activities are taking place. This includes the potential to support candidate National Portfolio Organisations and to identify premises for repurposing as small cultural and creative spaces to nurture and showcase local talent providing start up opportunities for local creatives.
Oldway Mansion (£8m)
Funding for the first phase of the refurbishment of Oldway Mansion, a unique heritage asset that has fallen into disrepair. This will fund the remedial work needed to secure further future funding to open up the mansion.
Brixham Central Square & Carpark public realm (£1m)
Funding to support public realm improvements in Brixham’s central car park.
The proposed scheme will improve the look of an important gateway to Brixham and increase the number of car parking spaces, ameliorating a local challenge. (The overall project will start in April 2024 with an expected completion in October 2025. The project funded by LUP will start in April 2024 and complete in March 2025.)
Accommodation repurposing (£3.25m, inc the only revenue element of £250k)
Funding for repurposing holiday accommodation into more permanent homes for residents.
Community Infrastructure, £500k
A funding pot managed to support improvements to community infrastructure and youth provision within Torbay’s most deprived neighbourhoods. 3 projects to receive funding:
- Melville Square (£240,000) - A community led public realm improvement project in an area of high deprivation in Torquay town centre.
- People's Parkfield (£200,000) - Funding to convert Parkfield House into a sustainable community asset.
- Foxhole Play and Ecology Hub (£60,000) - An indoor/outdoor base for youth, community and school groups in Kings Ash, Paignton.
