5-star hotel vision way to resurrect Oldway’s fortunes

THOSE who follow the fortunes of Oldway Mansion closely know one thing above all others - that no solution to the problem of its long-term future is going to be universally popular.

Experts and analysts from near and far have taken a look at the crumbling Victorian jewel in Paignton’s crown, sadly neglected since the council left.

It appeared for a time that it would become a hotel, but that plan collapsed.

More recently there have been investigations to see what community use it could be put to.

Today we reveal an ambitious project which could, if implemented, see Oldway transformed into the best hotel in Devon, a five-star luxury lifestyle location which would evoke its halcyon days at the hub of high society.

The man behind the plan knows what he is talking about, having been at the forefront of luxury hotel projects across Europe.

He also understands local sensitivities which surround any development of this kind. His vision is exciting and wide-ranging.

There would be new buildings as well as a re-modelling of some of Oldway’s iconic structures.

There would also be an element of housing, and for many people that’s the critical problem with any plan for Oldway going forward.

But the bald facts are that any realistic proposal to save Oldway before it simply falls to the ground through decay must generate revenue, and the surest way to generate that revenue is to build and sell homes on the site.

It will be interesting to know what the guardians of Oldway think of this new five-star hotel proposal. It will be interesting to hear what the council makes of it.

Because while we know that no solution to the future of Oldway is going to be loved by all, we also know that a solution must be found sooner rather than later.