Torbay Council has been granted £20m from the government as it becomes the latest authority identified for a Levelling Up Partnership.
The funding will help Torbay regenerate buildings in the area, including converting holiday accommodation into permanent homes, refurbishing Grade II listed Oldway Mansion and developing new street lighting as well as sea defences.
Announced in the 2023 Spring Budget, Levelling Up Partnerships are regeneration programmes targeted at areas that are “in most need of levelling up”.
The announcement of a partnership in Torbay follows the first one in Dundee, Scotland, last week.
David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said: “Hearing that we have secured this Levelling Up Partnership funding is fantastic news. This funding, along with other funding already secured, will really give us the opportunity to drive forward a range of projects that will have an impact on all three of our towns of the bay – Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.”
According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the £20m package earmarks £8m for the first phase of the refurbishment of Oldway Mansion, £7m for improvements in the area, £3.25m for the regeneration of disused holiday accommodation, £1m for improvements to Brixham’s central car park and £500,000 to transform vacant buildings into cultural spaces.
The Levelling Up Partnership builds on over £75m being invested into the Torbay area, DLUHC explained, which includes £20m from Levelling Up Fund Round 3 funding and a £20m Towns Deal.
Levelling up minister Jacob Young said: “The investment will provide a major levelling up boost to the area including by providing more homes for local people helping bring the historic Oldway Mansion back to its former glory and deliver the brighter bay residents deserve.”
This comes as Devon County Council and Torbay Council signed a devolution deal earlier this year to create a new combined county authority.
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