Beautiful UK seaside town to get ‘once in a generation’ £14m facelift

A beautiful seaside town is getting a “once in a generation” £14 million facelift.

Plans are underway to completely transform the seafront in Paignton, Devon, having been backed by the Torbay Council planning committee last June.

The £14 million scheme will overhaul the seafronts in the Devonshire beach town and the suburb of Preston as part of a sea defence project.

Paignton will get new seating terraces, and the shelters, kiosks and cafes will be relocated. A new entrance on South Green will give vehicles access, although no traffic will be allowed onto the promenade.

Preston will be provided with new seating, and its shelters and kiosks will also receive extra protection. The beach is best known for its pink sand, which is caused by iron minerals in the sand oxidising in the air.

The scheme aims to provide the seafront with more robust coastal flood protection, which will help protect local communities from rising sea levels.

The project will be given to a developer by the end of the month. Construction is slated to start in the autumn to avoid the summer season.

Councillor Chris Lewis, deputy leader and cabinet member for Place Development and Economic Growth, told the BBC: “The council appreciates that there will be disruption to local people and businesses once the main development is underway.”

“This is, however, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide long-term coastal defences and public realm improvements for the Paignton and Preston areas.

“We thank people in advance for their patience as we make these essential improvements for the long-term protection of our communities.”

At this weekend’s residents ‘ engagement event, the public can learn more about the plans for Station Square, the Victoria Centre, the Paignton and Preston Promenade Scheme, and the Oldway Mansion restoration project.