An old hotel in Torquay is to be transformed into homes as a part of a major project to convert hospitality venues in the region into social housing.
Torbay Council is working with a Devon-based developer on its Hotels to Homes scheme, which is aimed at tackling the local housing crisis. The project is designed to increase the delivery of social housing by re-purposing small, prominent and under-used brownfield sites in the Bay.
The first hotel to be converted is the former Brampton Court Hotel on St Luke’s Road South, in Torquay. It will be re-purposed into 14 homes of one and two bedrooms, subject to planning permission.
Once work on the development is finished, the local authority will take ownership of the building and it will then be let to local households through Devon Home Choice.
The project is supported by a £3m UK government grant. Further investment from the Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal will fund the second project, along with investment by Torbay Council.
Councillor Alan Tyerman, cabinet member for housing and finance, said: “We are focussed on finding new and innovative ways to deliver more social homes for rent to tackle the shortage of available properties. It is a key priority of our Housing Strategy and Housing Delivery Plan to ensure there will be more good quality, affordable properties that people can call home.”
The council is hoping it can create a model that can be replicated throughout Torbay. Work is currently under way to identify the second and subsequent sites for the programme.
Law firm Trowers & Hamlins advised Torbay Council on the first Hotels to Homes scheme. The Trowers team was led by real estate partner Georgina Savill-James and assisted by John Bartlett, Sophie Emerson and Claire Atkins.
Ms Savill-James said: “The Hotels to Homes scheme will help the council tackle local housing needs and contribute to the regeneration of the area. By converting underused spaces into sustainable, high-quality homes, the council is setting a benchmark for creative solutions to housing challenges in the South West region.”
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