Oldway Mansion damage will cost thousands to fix

Frequent break-ins at historic property

Trespassers breaking into Paignton’s historic Oldway Mansion have caused damage which will cost thousands of pounds to fix, it has been revealed.

Torbay Council has stepped up security since the break-ins began.

Among the people to get inside the historic building, which is currently behind barriers while restoration work continues, have been groups of ‘urban explorers’ who have filmed their exploits for social media.

Their videos do not show them causing any damage.

A council statement said: “Recent incidents of trespassing, now under police investigation, have resulted in thousands of pounds worth of damage, placing further strain on an already-stretched restoration budget.

“The council and contractor urge all visitors to respect the site boundaries and support the ongoing efforts to preserve Oldway for future generations.”

The council’s deputy leader Cllr Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) said the current work at Oldway was one of the most complex projects currently under way in the bay, and every effort is being made to ensure the long-term preservation of the mansion.

Conservation work begins this week on Oldway’s historic Banqueting Hall West Tower, with specialist teams going in after recent inspections uncovered deterioration to the roof coverings and dormers.

Vegetation will be cleared and scaffolding erected around the tower to allow a full inspection.

Part of the scaffolding will extend into the existing fenced-off area along Oldway Road, and the current traffic light system will stay in place.

The council says Historic England has been consulted throughout, and a grant funding application has been submitted to support essential repairs to the roof, floors, and structural framework of the West Tower.

The first phase of restoration at Oldway is now under way, supported by £8million in government funding and an additional £1million committed by the council.

Roof repairs will begin later this year, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

A council spokesman said ‘cherished historical artefacts’ had been removed and placed in secure storage or sensitively boarded up to protect them from potential damage during several years of restoration.

The statement went on: Members of the public are welcome to continue enjoying the grounds of Oldway and the sporting facilities available on site. However, for health and safety reasons, access to the building remains strictly prohibited.