Transforming Torbay: Creating a thriving coastal community

I recently sat down with Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive of Torbay Council, and Tarah Gear, Director of Brand and Place Futures at Milligan, for a ‘Building knowledge’ podcast to explore the important role of social infrastructure in local and regional regeneration.

On the podcast we discussed the journey we’ve been on in the regeneration of Torbay. What unfolded was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when local councils, private sector partners, and communities work together with a shared sense of purpose.

Torbay - made up of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham - has always had potential. But like many coastal areas, it has struggled with underinvestment, weaker connectivity, and some of the knock-on effects that come with long-term economic decline. What’s different now is that we’re not just talking about fixing things - we’re building something new, something rooted in people, place and potential.

Listening Before Leading

One of the key themes we all came back to in the podcast was the importance of listening. I shared how, at Willmott Dixon, we never come to a place thinking we’ve got all the answers. The first six to twelve months of our involvement in Torbay were all about getting under the skin of the area - walking the high streets, meeting local businesses, speaking with social care teams and even sitting down with schoolchildren.

Anne-Marie made a strong point about the need to change the future for residents by first changing the place itself. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing - reimagining what Torbay could look and feel like if we got the regeneration right.

Regeneration with a Human Heart

Tarah spoke passionately about the importance of social infrastructure - not just the physical assets, but the services, spaces, and experiences that make a place thrive. She described regeneration not as filling empty spaces, but as rebuilding the connections between people and their environment.

We all agreed that the days of throwing more retail into a failing town centre are long gone. Today, it’s about understanding what communities really need - a holistic approach that prioritises wellbeing, culture, education and affordable homes. For us, this is regeneration that puts people at the centre.

Unlocking Investment and Telling the ‘Torbay Story’

Anne-Marie spoke about how Torbay was once too insular - but how that changed with the creation of the ‘Torbay Story’. By developing a clear, unified narrative, the council was able to unlock more than £105 million in public funding, including Towns Fund, Future High Streets, Levelling Up Plan for Neighbourhoods, Heritage Places, and a designation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an Arts Council England award. Attracting this funding has enabled “once in a generation” change.

That investment is already having an impact. We discussed some of the key sites coming forward - up to 700 new homes, a boutique hotel on The Strand, and town centre developments that reflect both the heritage and the future of Torbay and supporting the vision of the “English Riveria”.

We’re not just building homes - we’re creating places where health, education, culture and commerce all come together. That’s the real engine of sustainable regeneration.

One Team, One Vision

What’s made this work stand out is the strength of the partnership. It doesn’t feel like three separate organisations - Willmott Dixon, Milligan and the Council - it feels like one team with a shared goal. That trust and alignment has allowed us to move quickly, but always with care.

Tarah brought in her experience of reshaping retail and leisure spaces across the UK. She talked about the need to right-size town centres and build places that serve communities in much more meaningful ways. Her insights have been vital in shaping a strategy that isn’t just reactive, but visionary.

Rekindling Pride

One of the most moving parts of our discussion was around civic pride. Years of decline had eroded some of the community’s confidence - but it’s coming back. You can feel it in the conversations we’re having on the ground. When you scratch beneath the surface, the pride was always there - it just needed a reason to come to the surface again.

Bringing young people into the process has been particularly powerful. Tarah described it beautifully: it’s about making them feel part of the change. After all, they’re the ones who’ll inherit these spaces.

Looking Ahead

The work in Torbay is still in its early stages, but the direction is clear. This is a model that other coastal and post-industrial communities can learn from. As Anne-Marie said so eloquently, “We’re connecting our communities to the cranes - so they know this is for them, their children, and their grandchildren.”

That line has stuck with me. It captures the spirit of what we’re doing - not just changing the landscape, but shaping a new future. One built on collaboration, trust, and the belief that every place, no matter its past, deserves a vibrant future.

Read more here to find out how we can help create spaces that strengthen social infrastructure to better serve community needs.