New plans for empty Paignton shopping centre

An old shopping centre site in Paignton could become social housing to provide extra care apartments.

New plans by Torbay Council said 91 apartments at the old Crossways shopping centre and a new Day Centre to replace an ageing facility at Hollicombe could be built.

Sarah Wallis, a partner in the AR & E Wallis Electrical store across from the site, said she thought the plans would "not help the town".

A spokesperson for Torbay Council said if the proposals went ahead they would increase footfall in the area and more people would shop locally.

The former shopping centre was demolished in 2023, and its last shop shut in 2022.

Ms Wallis said: "We would like to have more shops, not just cafés but a variation of shops to bring more into the town.

"They're going to take away car parking off the street for the access for the site. We just think it is not helping the town."

Conservative councillor Chris Lewis, the deputy leader of Torbay Council, said: "91 extra apartments, as opposed to a car park or a derelict shopping complex, which it was, means that those 91 people can go and actually shop in the town centre.

"What we need is footfall in Paignton, people supporting the local shops and buying things, and by having a scheme like this that's exactly what they will be able to do."

If plans are approved, building work could start in April 2026.