£20m mixed use development application submitted
Kay Elliott submits Detailed Planning application for mixed use retail, cinema, hotel and residential scheme on brownfield site
Kay Elliott was appointed by New Riviera Estates to design a new scheme after a previous application for the site was rejected by Torbay Council’s Planning Committee last September. Following advice from and working in close liaison with the local Design Review Panel and English Heritage, Kay Elliott have worked hard to meet stakeholder demands to create a stunning new design for the site, which fits seamlessly within its surroundings and maximises the return on investment for the developer.
The £20 million scheme will include a cinema, hotel, restaurants, apartments and retail complex on a previously run down site in the centre of the town. Creating up to 200 jobs for local people, it is expected to be operational within two years.
The new Torwood Street frontage will now be similar in height and grandeur to adjacent buildings on the junction of Torwood Street and the Strand.
A prior scheme for the site, which included an 11-storey tower block, was negatively received by English Heritage, Torbay Design Review Panel and the Design Review Panel as well as members of the local community for not being in keeping with the local landscape. Kay Elliott’s design offers a fresh approach delivering a new, contemporary, high quality building. The design also draws inspiration from existing styles and materials – recognising the need for the redevelopment to sit comfortably within both the existing street scene and the wider topography.
The design principles of the revised scheme include arranging the proposal to ensure efficient reuse of the site and provide active and attractive new frontages to both The Terrace and Torwood Street. Emphasis has also been placed on adopting a ‘stepped design’ that reflects the existing ‘layered’ built form of the bay and its natural terracing.
Key features of the new revised design include: – New active uses facing onto Torwood Street, including new first and ground floor restaurants as well as retail – High quality branded hotel – located in a pair of wings around a central foyer to be accessed from The Terrace, where the main parking provision is located – luxury residential apartments with expansive rear views overlooking the harbour with car parking – class leading multi-screen cinema – which will be encased within the building, avoiding the need for ‘dead’ or ‘windowless’ frontages – Entrance to the cinema will be located on Torwood Street adjacent to the new pedestrian route to The Terrace, helping extend activity past the restaurant uses and encouraging the wider regeneration of Torwood Street
Richard Maddock, director of Kay Elliott, the designer behind the scheme, comments: “We welcome the support of English Heritage and their positive comments. The new designs will breathe new life into a run down part of Torquay and create a real destination focal point for the town and region. We have addressed outstanding concerns, whilst remaining true to our vision – offering a sensitive, respectful and deliverable development, which will positively contribute to the existing townscape while fulfilling the developer’s commercial aspirations.”
The project represents a multi-million pound investment for Torquay delivering real investment and regeneration to the bay and providing new high quality, family-friendly uses for the benefit of both the local community and visitors. It also offers the opportunity to raise the profile and perception of the harbour area with the creation of a dynamic and attractive cultural focal point.
