Have your say on the Future of Oldway!

On Monday 23 June approximately 150 people attended a public meeting to see presentations from the two short-listed developers and ask questions.  

Saturday 28 June is the last day of the exhibits at Oldaway but the deadline for submitting feedback forms is Friday 4 July 2008.  Feedback forms will be available at Oldway Mansion, Connections offices and libraries. You can also submit your comments via the online feedback form.

Oldway Exhibitions

From Saturday 24 May 2008 two shortlisted developers who want to work in partnership with Torbay Council to redevelop the Oldway Estate to return it to it's former glory, will be displaying their ideas for the site at Oldway Mansion.

The developers, Swan Country Homes and Urban Splash, have been shortlisted by the Oldway Working Party from a field of 6 companies who initially expressed interest in the site.

In order to move the project forward the Council is encouraging local residents to have their say on the concepts put forward by both companies, to think about which developer they would like to work with and the type of development they would like to see at Oldway.

The exhibition will be on display at Oldway Mansion from Saturday 24 May until Saturday 28 June detailing the ideas put forward by both developers, and questionnaires will be available allowing people to record their views. Representatives from each developer will be on hand at the exhibition on the opening day (24 May) and last day (28 June) to answer any questions.

If you are unable to make it to Oldway to see the exhibition then documents which provide an insight into both developers' ideas and concepts as well as getting an idea of their capabilities to deliver the project are available on this page (see Related Documents).

You can give us your feedback on what you would like to see from the development of Oldway and also what you think about the two developers and their ideas by filling in the feedback form or the online feedback form.

Alternatively, leaflets detailing the concepts for the development of Oldway Estate and feedback questionnaires will also be available from Connections offices and libraries across the Bay.

The closing date for comments is Friday 4 July.

The History of Oldway

• In 1946, the Estate including the Mansion, Little Oldway and Rotunda, gardens and sports facilities, was sold to Paignton Urban District Council for £46,000.
• In 1946, the Mansion was converted to offices but the Council struggled to find use for the Rotunda and adjacent buildings
• Today, Oldway is a Grade II* Listed Building and a popular destination for residents and visitors. There are also many listed features within the grounds. Oldway is Grade II on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
• The Mansion House provides accommodation for the Chairman of Torbay Council, the Registrars, Tea Rooms, a small exhibition space and offices for 200 staff. The Ballroom doubles as an attractive function room and Council Chamber.

Budget Pressures

• The approximate running cost of Oldway is £200,000 pa excluding planned and emergency maintenance.
• Comprehensive Condition Surveys were commissioned in March 2006. These confirm that urgent works are necessary and the buildings are falling into disrepair.
• The estimated maintenance requirement over the next five years is in the region of £2,700,000.

Oldway Mansion

• Estimated Repair Costs = £1.18 million (March 2006)
• Of which £620,000 is needed within 2 years

Rotunda

• Estimated Repair Costs = £1.14 million (March 2006)  
• Of which £984,000 is needed within 2 years

Grounds

• Estimated Repair Cost = £365,000 (March 2006)
• Of which £170,000 is needed within 2 years

The Council cannot afford to maintain the Estate indefinitely and as offices, the buildings are no longer suitable.

The Story So Far

• We have been asked by the Council to identify a sustainable alternative use for the Oldway Estate, which will save the mansion and grounds for future generations.  We have been especially asked to look at options which will continue to provide public access.
• We have made contact with English Heritage, The Landmark Trust and The National Trust and asked them to participate.
• We have established the Oldway Working Party comprising Elected Members, Officers and community representatives.
• The Working Party have reviewed the current situation, considered the suitability of the buildings for their present use, are considering possible alternative uses and will make a recommendation to Council following the Consultation period.
• The Oldway Working Party agreed to carry out an ‘Expressions of Interest’ exercise for Oldway Mansion and Grounds and a Formal OJEU Notice was issued in August 2007.  21 Expressions of Interest were received and 6 Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) were returned.
• Following presentations to the Working Party in January 2008, outline submissions were received from 3 developers on 15 February 2008. One submission was felt to be non-compliant and the decision was made to continue with 2 of the developers. The two remaining developers presented their detailed solutions to Oldway Working Party on 2 April 2008 and a decision was made to take both forward to public consultation.

	Oldway Conservation Plan Plan includes an understanding of the site and its historical development, an assessment of why Oldway and its site are important, and how it is vulnerable to change. This Plan also suggests what policies there are already, or should be put in place, to ensure that the significance of the buildings and their surrounding setting are not undermined. Last updated: 23/05/2008 (7.5 MB)
	Oldway Conservation Plan - Gazetteer The Gazetteer provides data sheets on a room-by-room basis for the four floors of Oldway Mansion. Last updated: 23/05/2008 (4 MB)
	Oldway Planning Brief 2007 Provides informal guidance to prospective new owners of Oldway Mansion and its grounds with regard to planning policies and possible development opportunities. Last updated: 23/05/2008 (1.4 MB)
	Oldway Mansion Development Ideas for the potential development of the Oldway Estate put forward by Urban Splash. Last updated: 23/05/2008 (3.8 MB)
	Oldway Mansion Leaflet Ideas for the potential development of the Oldway Estate put forward by Swan Country Homes. Last updated: 22/05/2008 (469 KB)
	Swan Master Plan Further detail of the ideas put forward for the development of the Oldway Estate by Swan Country Homes. Last updated: 22/05/2008 (2.9 MB)
	Urban Splash Press Release Press release issued by Urban Splash regarding the development of Oldway Estate. Last updated: 23/05/2008 (323 KB)

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.