Delight as £12m Paignton Oldway deal is signed to herald new beginning
THE final deal has been signed for the £12million Oldway Mansion development.
Four months after being granted planning permission and following weeks of negotiation, the flagship project has been given the final green light.
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IT'S A DEAL: Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver and James Brent shake hands to mark signing of agreement to develop Oldway ANDY STYLES
Under an original 2010 deal, Torbay Council was expected to receive £1millon premium plus a percentage of profits from the sale of houses being built in the grounds of the mansion.
Under the deal now agreed, the council will pay developers Akkeron Regeneration £400,000 towards a new indoor bowls club building, an enhanced marriage ceremony room and the restoration of the gardens.
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The council says this is in recognition of the changes since the original conditional contract was signed in August 2010.
The housing numbers were scaled down to meet opponents' requests. As part of the scheme, 48 three and four-bedroom townhouses will be built along with a new orangery and cafe.
The original deal would have given the council a £50,000 deposit after a development scheme was agreed and £1million within two years of planning consent or the 'practical completion of the hotel'. The council was also set to be paid 15 per cent of the profits from the redevelopment.
The deal has now been agreed by the council and Akkeron Regeneration, the development arm of Akkeron Group. The mansion will be fully restored and conserved, and the currently derelict ancillary buildings converted into a spa and fitness centre. Over 75 full time jobs will be created.
Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver said: "I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached that ensures the development is carried out in a way which preserves and enhances the buildings and grounds for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors."
James Brent, chairman of Akkeron, said: "In these times of austerity, the public and private sectors need to work in close partnership not only to protect our heritage but to create homes and jobs for our communities."
Steve Parrock, chief executive of the Torbay Development Agency, said: "I am delighted that four years of hard work from the TDA and council have come to fruition."
Paul Hawthorne, chairman of the Friends of Oldway, said: "We welcome the finalising of the agreement."
Torbay Civic Society chairman Ian Handford said: "Rather than see this important building go into irreversible decline, the Civic Society has supported the renovation proposals while ensuring important public access to the main areas and the estate is maintained."
Work will begin on site at the earliest opportunity with the project due to be completed by 2015.
The cafe is open for business until next year and the developer is keen to work with the operators as long possible. The tennis courts will be open for business for next few months and will re-open next year.
Both bowls clubs are unaffected for time being — the indoor club is staying open until the new club opens. The outdoor club is investing in ground improvements.
Public access to the gardens and grounds will be carefully managed to ensure the public can enjoy safe access during the development and any temporary restrictions will be carefully considered and minimised, says Torbay Council.
The mansion is available for meetings and events until next March. Most weddings are now being undertaken at Cockington, with the wedding room returning to Oldway in 2015.
The registrars are moving to Paignton Library in mid October. Access to Singer Collection continues.
Comments
by realityzone
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 6:41PM
“Well Clamcham your post speculating on " how much the bung was" appears on here so what's your problem? You seem certain that there was a "bung", do you have any evidence for that? Thought not. That kind of snide speculation deserves to be deleted if it is not being substantiated. One day you might make this kind of assertion about someone who decides to have his or her day in court.
Oldway is a very expensive building to maintain or modernise it has gone past the point where the ratepayers can be expected to pick up the tab, so this deal may well be the best outcome.”
by Clamcham
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 10:46AM
“Mention any kind of bung or backhander being involved in the deal and your comments are swiftly deleted... hmmm interesting...”
by Clamcham
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 10:41AM
“I wonder how much the bung was that the councillors involved in this deal got for giving away this publicly owned asset.”
by realityzone
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 7:27AM
“Taxation of the poor could be a good conversation about taxation anomalies which are determined by politicians not by those who work hard and are aspirational.
A more interesting conversation could be the wholesale abuse of the benefit system by which people who do no work but acquire money that others, most of whom are on average wages, have worked hard to create.”
by Torbaymik
Monday, October 01 2012, 5:32PM
“Oldway was was not given to anyone, it was purchased in 1946 by Paignton Council, prior to that, from 1929 it was the Torbay Country Club.
I have no knowledge about Ilsham marine
Michael”
by DarylDante
Sunday, September 30 2012, 11:18AM
“No amount of housing should be allowed to be developed within these grounds.”
by Bod66
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:33PM
“Hmmm...
Comments here just go to show that the sour old politics of envy, that so holds back aspiration in this country, is still alive and kicking
So thats what they call centuries of exploitation of the working classes.
The taxation of the poor while the boss pays less than the cleaner is a good start for a conversation?”
by realityzone
Friday, September 28 2012, 7:33PM
“Comments here just go to show that the sour old politics of envy, that so holds back aspiration in this country, is still alive and kicking.”
by Bod66
Friday, September 28 2012, 3:48AM
“The smile in the handshake says it all...
`I,am going to get even more rich`
`who me?`
`Ha ha, No all of Us`”
by Bod66
Friday, September 28 2012, 1:34AM
“Wasnt Oldway Mansion along with Ilsham Marine given to the People in the 19th Centuary ?”