Torridge awarded just over £20 million as part of the government's Community Regeneration Partnership

Torridge District Council has announced today that it has been awarded just over £20,000,000 in capital investment with £250,000 revenue funding to support a number of projects to benefit residents across the district.  The projects announced by government today, are being funded as part of the Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme and will support the council's strategic ambitions and deliver lasting benefits to Torridge.

The capital projects being supported by the Government are geographically spread across the district and cover a wide variety of themes:

• Bideford Business Park (£2.6m) - acquisition and development toward high value manufacturing and engineering facilities.
• Bideford Pannier Market (£1.475m) - modernisation and improvements to make fit for future and wider use.
• Hatchmoor Industrial Estate (£1.6m) - The project will design a scheme, achieve the necessary consents and then deliver the services and infrastructure to site for future development of workspace for high value manufacturing and engineering facilities
• Holsworthy Agri-Business Park (£7.3m) - development of agri-related innovation, retail and professional space.
• Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre (£2m) - additional funding to support the build.
• Agri-tech nutrient pilot scheme (£0.3m) - testing the adaptation of a slurry condensing unit to recover nutrients and reduce the pollutants going into rivers.
• Westward Ho! Water Quality Monitoring Buoy (£0.1m) - Installation of water quality monitoring buoy to provide real-time water quality data for beach users, tourism businesses and for managers of environmental systems.
• Cleave Wood, Bideford (£1.2m) - The design and delivery of site servicing and infrastructure as a first phase of a residential scheme in response to local housing needs.
• Social housing decarbonisation and EPC rating improvements (£1.5m) - pipeline of works to improve 57 properties with E & F ratings to C or B.
• Bideford Hospital (£0.75m) - reconfiguration site to create a "Community Health & Wellbeing Hub" with multi-purpose space.
• The Globe Hotel, Great Torrington (£0.52m) - Initial capital works on Grade II Listed long-derelict hotel to redevelop into an 11-bedroom hotel and restaurant (in a town with neither) with a strong training presence.
• Holsworthy Manor Offices (£0.725m) - Phased redevelopment inc. decarbonisation, remodelling to enable improved accessibility, flow and to increase opportunity for flexible community space (for example, co- working)

The ability to achieve such a diverse spread of projects and themes was made possible through the establishment of the Torridge Place Board.  The Board, made up of 20 representatives from a cross section of local businesses and services, was established in February 2024.  Since then, it has been responsible for steering a potential programme of works, designed to improve the long-term economic opportunities for the region and deliver positive environmental and health benefits to those people living in Torridge. 

Councillor Ken James, Lead Member for Torridge District Council, said:

"We are thrilled that the Government has confirmed that it will be investing over £20 million to fund transformative regeneration projects across the district.  This is fantastic news for Torridge and a testament to all the hard work put in by our officers and members of the Torridge Place Board.  The breadth and scope of projects being announced today, will enable us to work along alongside our partners and key stakeholders to make a real long and lasting difference to the people of Torridge.  Securing investment like this is vital part of these plans I am looking forward to working with team to ensure a successful implementation of the next phase."

Paul Coles, Chair of Torridge Place Board, said:

"The Board has done an excellent job of developing a strong place story, which whilst celebrating Torridge, has provided a sharp and compelling focus to demonstrate how this inward investment will enable us to build on our key sectors whilst creating new opportunities.  With such a wide range of projects across the district, hopefully as many people as possible across our region will soon start feeling the benefits."

Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, MP for Torridge and Tavistock, said: 

"I am relieved and pleased that the Government, after the strong representations we made to ministers last year, has decided to continue the Levelling Up Partnership, although it is now to be given a new name. The hard work of many will not be wasted and the benefits envisaged by the last Government with my encouragement in developing the policy of bespoke central and local government partnerships to regenerate areas such as ours, which has never seen government investment on this scale, will soon reach our communities. I am meeting Torridge District Council this week to discuss the implementation of the various projects the Secretary of State has agreed."

Mar 25