Operation Oldway is under way at last.
Torbay Council has announced that phase one of the multi-million pound project to restore one of the Bay’s much-loved heritage buildings to its former glory will start in just a few weeks’ time.
That will see the start of work to repair and restore the roofs of the mansion made famous by the Singer sewing machine fami;y.
More than £9 million is being spent on the first phase. The overall cost of the massive scheme could be in the region of £54 million.
To facilitate the repair work, the council have revealed the mansion car park will be closed throughout the duration of the works, which are expected to take a minimum of two years to complete.
The closure of the car park is needed to accommodate scaffolding, a contractor site compound and safe controlled working zones.
The closure of the car park will take effect from this week (Wednesday January 15) when contractors begin to mobilise, and scaffolding starts to be put up around the external walls of the main building.
The grounds of Oldway and Torbay Country Bowling Club will remain open.
Access to Little Oldway Residential Home will be maintained at all times throughout the work.
All visitors to the Oldway site are asked to find alternative nearby on-street parking or to walk, cycle or travel by bus to the location.
Motorists should avoid parking on drive leading to the car park (from Torquay Road) during the day as the road will need to be kept clear to accommodate large delivery vehicles. Limited parking will continue to be available on Bowlers Way. No vehicles will be able to enter or exit the grounds from Oldway Road.
Phase 1 of the Oldway Mansion restoration project is being funded by £1million committed by Torbay Council, and £8million of government funding
Repairing the (approximately) 13 different types of roofs to the main Mansion is a major step forward in restoring and preserving Oldway, but there is still a long way to go before the building can reopen to the public.
Full restoration will be phased over several years and will require the Council to work with its public and private sector partners, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Development growth at Torbay Council, said: “Making Oldway Mansion wind and watertight is an essential first step in restoring the building that we know is cherished by so many in the community.
“The closure of the car park for a significant amount of time is going to unfortunately cause some inconvenience. However, the closure is necessary to allow us to move forward with this restoration project that the community has wanted for so long.
“During the restoration work, visitors are welcome to continue enjoying the grounds which are maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers”.
Oldway has been at the heart of Paignton for many years and is one of the largest and grandest Victorian buildings in the Southwest.
The much-loved community asset needs a new lease of life, and the council says it is committed to identifying a sustainable and resilient future for the building.
Although the mansion and other buildings on the site have been empty for several years, local volunteers have worked hard to keep the gardens open to visitors.
Thanks to National Lottery players, the local authority secured nearly £240,000 to run a ‘Developing a resilient future for Oldway’ project.
This project explored and considered longer-term options for Oldway Mansion, the wider estate and gardens and produced a detailed Masterplan and Conservation Management Strategy.
An Oldway Mansion working party went inside and around the mansion on a fact-finding tour and mission last week
Cllr Kat Johns took these pictures including one of a portrait of Isaac Singer looking down sadly on the state of his once palatial home.
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