'Exceptionally busy' first year for development agency

THE first year of Torbay's new economic development company has been 'exceptionally busy'.

Torbay Development Agency is juggling a wide range of projects and services, with some completed during the year and others still a long way off on the horizon.

Steve Parrock, chief executive, told the company's annual meeting that a major part of their past year was the re-launch of Cockington Court, which was now 'thriving', he said, and they had bought the village centre car park and would be reopening the toilets.

They were still working with the operators of the Brixham Fish Quay restaurant, with Akkeron Group, the developers of Oldway Mansion, with Deeley Freed and Sir Robert McAlpine on the White Rock business park, he said.

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"There are many more projects in the pipeline which unfortunately I cannot talk to you about at the moment," said Mr Parrock.

They are developing proposals for the town centres, particularly with Hawkstone PLC, and others working with the mayor, the council's spatial planning team and the community through the neighbourhood planning forums.

He added: "By deciding not to appoint a single development partner in March, we have been able to re-engage with those who originally expressed an interest on a stand-alone, site-by-site basis. It is a more flexible arrangement and better suited to today's economy."

Looking ahead, Mr Parrock said they had submitted a £1.5million bid to the Government's Coastal and Communities Fund and would be continuing to explore with the Mayor ways of funding a feasibility study of a third harbour in Torquay.

They are continuing to work on a business case to support a third arm at Brixham Harbour and are still working on a maritime economy action plan.

They will continue to work with partners, such as Outset Torbay and their training partners, and to support the university training centre being promoted by Teignbridge District Council.

Now that the council has agreed to borrow £2million towards the third innovation centre at White Rock, Mr Parrock said this will provide 40 units for new and grow-on businesses, supporting up to 220 jobs.

They will be reviewing Torbay's economic strategy and their own business plan for the next three years which will have to be approved by Torbay Council.

Sheena Leaf, chairman of the economic development committee, said they wanted to strengthen existing businesses as well as attracting new ones.

Three companies had relocated to Torbay bringing 89 jobs and the TDA had a programme to help new companies coming into the Bay, for example with where to find support services such as recruiters, lawyers, accountants.

"The most important thing is promotion of what we do and what we do well," she said.

The Bay needs a pro-business climate, a skilled workforce and improved connectivity such as broadband and transport links, she said. The TDA needs to work with partners in the private sector and the council and MPs to generate a stronger identity for Torbay. They were looking at creating work hubs with shared office facilities for smaller enterprises.

A community enterprise development trust is being explored as a method of encouraging sustainable development. They could be self help and trade for a social purpose. "They create wealth in the communities and keep it within the community," she said.