Residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on the new plans that will transform the former Debenhams site on Torquay’s Harbourside.
The current proposed plans is to demolish the empty building and replace it with an intimate south facing square with elevated views of the Harbour.
The square would be surrounded by a plethora of new cafes, restaurants and would play host to a vibrant cafe culture which will celebrate the character of the local area. Along side the creation of new business premises the site would also be home to a range of new town centre living opportunities.
In total it is thought the proposed plans would allow for a maximum of 5 leisure retail outlets and 16 residential units over 4 floors consisting of 2 bedrooms.
Alongside the units landscaping is also expected which will see more trees and original iron works being place along with Victorian style canopies which will influence the railings and balustrading in the new buildings.
The new development would also compliment the works that have already been taking place throughout the Spring of 2022.
The Debenhams redevelopment project is one of several regeneration projects that is planned for Torquay as part of the £21.9 million Town Funding bid, which was secured in October 2020.
Public Exhibition – 28th April 2022
As part of the consultation process members of the public and businesses are being invited to have their say via a public exhibition on the 28th April 2022 between 14:30 and 19:30 at the former Debenhams shop on the Stand. Project members will be on hand to answer any questions you have around the new proposals.
Torbay Council purchased the old Debenhams site back in 2020 as part of its plans to regenerate the Torquay’s failing town centre and help boost the local economy.
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing at Torbay Council said:
The Strand and harbourside in Torquay are one of the key locations in the town centre, and it is important that this area is seen as an attractive location. Town centres up and down the country are changing, this development allows for us to be progressive in our thinking to create an attractive place to visit, spend time, as well as live and invest.” Â
Vince Flower, Chair of the Torquay Town board said:
Torquay’s Town Investment Plan (TIP) focuses on delivering a more vibrant town centre through the redevelopment of key town centre sites for mixed uses and public realm schemes. By maximising opportunities for town centre transformation, we can create new jobs, encourage business growth and attract new businesses to the area. We are determined to ensure that Torquay will achieve its economic potential by creating better spaces, with more people living and working there.
The consultation is open from today and closes at midnight on Thursday 5th May 2022.
Other ways to get involved
You take a look at the Strand Redevelopment page on the Torbay Council website – which has a link to the consultation questionnaire.
Torquay Library also has paper copies of the questionnaire along with information boards on the plans.
