Multi-town regeneration: harnessing the power of place to create thriving communities

I joined Anne-Marie Bond (Torbay Council), Nadeem Aziz (Dover District Council), and Stuart Harris (Milligan) to unpack this and share experiences.

Torbay's journey so far

Anne-Marie shared a compelling narrative of Torbay - a beautiful coastal area struggling with decades of underinvestment and deprivation. Our approach isn't about imposing a solution but working hand-in-hand with local stakeholders to understand their genuine needs.

“What we’ve got is a really compelling transformation programme. A team that knows the bay, knows residents, and what we need to do.”

Dover's long-term vision

Nadeem's insights from Dover were equally illuminating. He emphasised that regeneration isn't a quick fix but a long-term commitment. His experience has taught him that community engagement isn't just a checkbox – it's the fundamental foundation of meaningful change. He said:

“Taking our communities with us on that regeneration journey and having a genuine partnership that is with the public sector, private sector and our communities, is crucial.”

A truly-collaborative approach

Stuart Harris brilliantly articulated our collaborative approach. We're not coming in with a one-size-fits-all masterplan, but carefully analysing each site's unique potential. Our process involves extensive community consultation, understanding local nuances, and creating flexible strategies that can adapt to changing circumstances.

For Willmott Dixon, social value is part of our core purpose. We're committed to delivering more than just buildings; we're creating opportunities for future generations. During a school consultation, one of our team heard seven and eight-year-olds expressing fear about certain town areas. Our young people don't deserve that, and we need to make a lasting legacy and change in our communities to ensure that they grow up and thrive.

Our partnership model is built on several key principles: genuine collaboration with local authorities; deep community engagement; flexible, adaptive strategies; a long-term commitment to placemaking; and a focus on tangible social and economic outcomes.

Whether it's Torbay's ambitious multi-town regeneration or Dover's rich historical landscape, our goal remains consistent: create environments where people can thrive.

Measuring success differently

The metrics of success aren't just economic – they're human. Can we provide hope? Can we create opportunities for young people to stay and build their futures in these communities? Can we shift the narrative from deprivation to potential?

Nadeem really captured it:

“Some of it is about perceptions within the local community and whether they believe change is going to happen. The first project, doesn't need to be the biggest, but it needs to be set in the context of what you're doing, because it gives, it gives credibility to the whole plan.”

As Anne-Marie powerfully stated,

"We're not different organisations – we're one team united by a shared vision of transformation. Our journey in regeneration is about writing a new story for communities – a story of resilience, opportunity, and hope."

Want to learn more?

If you’re looking to understand how these insights could apply to your organisation or simply want to explore the topic further, get in touch with Chris Wheeler. He’d be pleased to talk through your challenges and how we might help.

Prefer to listen to audio?

You can listen to the full discussion on our Building Knowledge Podcast on:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Amazon Music

Or stream the episode below...

Find out more about Willmott Dixon at UKREiiF 2025 and further event insights here.