Derelict seaside hotel converted to council flats

The first project in a council scheme to convert derelict hotels into rental homes has been completed.

Brampton Court in the seaside resort of Torquay has been redeveloped into 14 energy-efficient one and two-bedroom apartments.

Torbay Council, which came up with the scheme, said the apartments would be "let at social rents to local households" with the first tenants expected to move in before Christmas.

The council has acquired a second site in Torquay at the Seabury Hotel and said construction there was due to start in the middle of 2026.

There are about 1,600 people on the housing waiting list in the Torbay area of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

The council said it wanted to convert "small, prominent and under-used brownfield sites" in the area "such as unviable former hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts".

Torbay Council said it believed its scheme was the "first of its kind in England" to specifically convert former hotel accommodation to be let as council homes.

Alan Tyerman, Torbay Council's cabinet member for housing and finance, said: "What has been achieved is excellent and proves that we can deliver the homes we need and protect our precious green spaces."

Tyerman said the new homes would be "a wonderful Christmas present" for new residents and marked "a significant milestone as we deliver on our ambition to provide more affordable homes in Torbay".

The new homes at Brampton House are being allocated through Devon Home Choice to households that can prove a local connection to Torbay.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].