Another Paignton shopping site to become temporary car park

Another Paignton shopping centre is to be turned into a temporary car park until more ambitious development plans take over.

The derelict Crossways shopping centre off Hyde Road has been turned into a car park in the interim while final plans for a housing development on the site are prepared. Work on the homes is likely to begin this year.

Now the same is to happen at the Victoria Centre – formerly the home of the town centre Lidl store – while proposals to regenerate the area are firmed up.

In the latest batch of planning applications lodged with Torbay Council, the local authority is applying to itself for permission to change the use of Victoria Square from retail to car parking.

A large car park has already been created on an adjoining site after the demolition of part of a multi-storey car park.

A plan of how the new Victoria Square car park could be laid out (Image courtesy: Torbay Council)

In the 1990s there were around 1,000 spaces in the multi-storey car park alongside the store, but that number is now down to 550.

Documents filed with the application say: “The Victoria Centre has the potential for a catalytic regeneration development, increasing footfall and vibrancy in Paignton by increasing the local population in the town centre.

“The development options being developed by the council’s regeneration partner have recommended the demolition of the multi-storey car parks and the shopping centre to achieve regenerative effect.”

The documents say the demolition will be undertaken in phases when retail units become empty. One shop on the site – Poundstretcher – is still active.

The square was opened in 1984 as home to a number of shops and stores including a large Presto supermarket.

A large propeller was a feature of the square. It came from the wreck of the SS Maine, an American cargo ship which was sunk after being hit by a torpedo from a German submarine off Berry Head in March 1917.

The Maine eventually sank off Bolt Head and the propeller was salvaged by members of the Torbay Sub-Aqua Club in the 1960s.