Oldway Development Project Archive

Please read on for background information to the project.

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

• The Corporate Property department was asked by the Council to identify a sustainable alternative use for the Oldway Estate, which will save the mansion and grounds for future generations, especially looking at options which will continue to provide public access.
• The Council made contact with English Heritage, The Landmark Trust and The National Trust and asked them to participate with no success.
• The Oldway Working Party has been established 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.

Related Documents

	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)

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