Minister tours the Torridge projects that received government cash boost

Torridge has welcomed the Government’s Minister for Local Growth on a whistle-stop tour of the district’s major regeneration projects.

Alex Norris was hosted by Torridge District Council (TDC) yesterday (Thursday, September 4) as he visited some of the region’s biggest projects, made possible by a combined £20million in government funding.

These included the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, The Globe Hotel in Torrington and Bideford Pannier Market.

Earlier this year, the council confirmed it had been awarded just over £20m in capital investment, with £250,000 revenue funding, to support several projects to benefit residents across the district. A large portion of the funds were already allocated under the previous government.

During his visit, Mr Norris, who is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with responsibility for building safety, fire and local growth, met with council leader Councillor Ken James, representatives from some of the projects and visited some of the projects which have been funded by the government’s Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme.

Above: Pictured during the minister’s visit to Bideford are Steve Hearse, TDC chief executive, Local Growth Minister Alex Norris, Sir Geoffrey Cox and TDC leader Ken James. Credit: TDC

At the Globe in Torrington he heard how the derelict building was being transformed into a community training hotel, which will offer skills and tourism whilst also creating new community spaces.

The building is owned by local people through a community share offer, which raised the match funding needed to release Community Partnership Funding of £526,000 to carry out the redevelopment works.

Above: At The Globe Hotel in Torrington are minister Alex Norris MP and the Sir Geoffrey Cox MP with members of the Board of the Community Benefit Society. Credit: TDC

The Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre will be a brand-new centre to provide research and development space for next generation sustainable maritime initiatives.

Work underway to rebuild seawall and slipway on Appledore Maritime Centre site

It will also aim to inspire residents of all ages, encourage development of new skills and the ability to access higher-earning employment.

Bideford’s historic Pannier Market is going to benefit from £1.5m Community Regeneration Partnership funding to modernise and improve the site to make it fit for future and wider use.

Above: Bideford Mayor Peter Lawrence shows government minister Alex Norris the plans for the historic Pannier Market. Credit: TDC

Below: Minister Alex Norris (centre) pictured during his visit to Bideford Pannier Market with the mayor and mayoress of Peter and Lynda Lawrence, plus Sir Geoffrey Cox and representatives from Bideford Town Council. Credit: TDC 

Speaking after the visit, Cllr James said: “It was a pleasure to host Minister Norris and to show him just a few of the transformative projects that are benefitting from this investment across the district. 

“Securing investment like this is vital for our area and improving the long-term economic opportunities for the region. We look forward to continuing to work with the Minister’s office to keep them updated on the progress of these exciting projects and to ensure that we can maximise on any future opportunities and I have personally invited Minister Norris to visit again in 2026 to officially open the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre.”

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Mr Norris added: “It has been fantastic to see project delivery underway across Torridge - meaning residents will start to feel the benefit of more job opportunities, new investment and new community spaces.

“Our Community Regeneration Partnership was designed to tackle the issues that really matter to local people and provide the growth that puts more money in people’s pockets as committed in our Plan for Change, and that’s exactly what it’s achieving.”

Torridge and West Devon MP Sir Geoffrey Cox said: “I am grateful to the Minister for taking the time to visit Torridge to reinforce the government's commitment to delivering on Torridge's £20m allocation of the Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme.

“With my strong advocacy, the previous Conservative government embraced a bold and innovative policy of bespoke partnerships between central and local government, designed to regenerate communities like ours that have never before received investment on this scale. This visit reflects the tangible progress being made, and the transformative benefits that this unprecedented investment will soon bring to Torridge.”