Kitson Boyce advises on Hotels to Homes Scheme in Torbay
Award-winning law firm Kitson Boyce has advised Armada Property UK Limited on a deal to create the first new, council owned social housing stock in a generation.
The innovative scheme sees Armada purchase the former Brampton Court Hotel on St Luke’s Road South in Torquay to re-purpose into 14-modern, energy efficient and sustainable homes. On completion, the Torbay Council will take ownership and the homes will be let to local households through Devon Home Choice.
It is part of the Council’s Hotels to Homes strategy which is designed to increase the delivery of social housing by re-purposing small, prominent and under-used brownfield sites in the Bay.
Torbay Council has led the way on creating and implementing the scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in England to specifically convert former hotel accommodation for this purpose.
The innovative project will help to prove that such sites have an important role to play in meeting local need, as well as contributing to the regeneration of Torbay.
The project is supported by a £3million UK Government grant. Further investment from the Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal will fund the second project, along with investment by the Council directly.
Patrick Gaskins, Commercial Property Partner at Kitson Boyce, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved in this novel project and to have successfully completed the purchase of the former Brampton Court Hotel for this worthy scheme and very much look forward to seeing Bramcourt Ltd create much needed high quality social housing for local households.”
Patrick was supported on the deal by Nina Edmonds and Carly Allen.
Cllr Alan Tyerman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance, said: “We are focused on finding new and innovative ways to deliver more social homes for rent to tackle the shortage of available properties.”
“The developer will be carrying out the conversion works and the Council has agreed to purchase the homes when they are complete, subject to planning consent being granted.
“I would like to thank all those that have worked so hard over recent months to make this ambition a reality and I look forward to welcoming the new residents into their homes later in 2025.”
