Homes plan revealed for school site in Torbay
DEVELOPERS have revealed their designs for £45 million worth of homes on one of Torbay’s most prominent pieces of land.
The Bristol-based PG Group plans to build 90 homes on the site of the former Stoodley Knowle girls’ school in upmarket Wellswood. The development could be complete by autumn 2023.
The spectacular Stoodley Knowle site is between Wellswood and Ilsham Marine Drive’s so-called “Millionaire’s Row”, and has views over Tor Bay and Babbacombe Bay.
It is described by the developers as a “remarkable coastal development” less than four hours’ commute from London. After 90 years as a school the site closed in 2015 and a number of plans have been put forward for it since then.
The latest, which was approved by Torbay Council nearly two years ago, is for Ilsham Grange, and images have just been released showing how the new homes will look. The project will involve the demolition of the main school building but the conservation of the listed stone barns, the original manor house and the 13th century chapel on the site. The chapel is one of Torbay’s oldest surviving buildings. The 90 properties will include three – and four-bedroom detached houses, apartments and historic buildings.
Three apartment blocks will be made up of 68 one-, two – and three-bedroom apartments around communal courtyards. The majority of the homes will have views out to sea, down Ilsham Valley to Torbay and over the Jurassic coast to the east.
The development includes a “historic quarter” containing the chapel, a medieval manor house and Victorian villa. A 40-acre site in total, it includes ancient woodland and the South West Coast Path’s famous bishop’s walk runs around the perimeter.
It is understood the developer has offered to upgrade the coast path as part of the project. PG Group has a track record of major building projects in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.
The Stoodley Knowle plans were approved by Torbay Council in July 2020, but this is the first time they have been seen in detail. The planning committee voted to approve the scheme with a series of conditions and a legal agreement for developer payments.
Councillors heard the application had already been the result of three years of detailed discussions with planning officers, and the scale of the development had been reduced from an initial application. A 60-bed care home in an earlier scheme was dropped, and the number of homes reduced by 16.
John Lestyn, of town planner Bell Cornwell, told councillors: “I very much believe the proposals represent a strong opportunity to secure a sensitive use of a former school.” He said the scheme provided much-needed housing and would enhance and respect the listed buildings and the coastal area.
Wellswood councillor Nick Bye said he believed the development would be welcomed by people in the area.