Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has welcomed today’s (Monday 9th October) news of an additional £950,000 of funding being offered by the Conservative Government to support the regeneration of Crossways.
Demolition work is already well underway at the former Crossways Shopping Centre which for years was a derelict eyesore that blighted the centre of Paignton, many of its shops having lain empty for more than a decade. Kevin has often joined with local businesses, residents and Paignton’s Conservative Councillors to push for progress, including the compulsory purchase of the site. The final traders in the centre moved out last year following Torbay Council acquiring ownership.
Whilst a contract to undertake demolition works was agreed by Torbay Council in March (under the former Lib Dem\Independent Coalition) a contract to deliver a plan for building housing on the site was not. This was due to a large financial gap in their plans. Since taking control in May, the new Conservative Administration of Torbay Council has been working with the Government, local MPs and the construction industry to identify additional funding or an alternative project for the site to complete the regeneration of Crossways.
Crossways is one of several projects in Paignton already benefitting from £13.36million of Government funding from the Future High Streets Fund in December 2020. Other projects benefitting from this funding include Station Square, Paignton Picture House (Which will also receive an additional £3m of investment from the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund), the Victoria Centre, and Paignton & Preston Seafront Public Realm.
The latest funding boost of £950,000, sees Crossways included in a list of nearly 100 regeneration projects which will receive a total of £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils, including Torbay Council.
Commenting Torbay MP Kevin Foster said: “The news of this additional funding is welcome and shows the level of Government support being offered to get the regeneration of our bay moving.”
“My first job included working at the former Granada TV Rental Store in Crossways, now I am pleased to be working with the Conservative team leading Torbay Council to get a scheme ready to start on this site once demolition works are completed.”
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