We are pleased to share that our project, Brampton Court, has been named Affordable Housing Development of the Year at the South West Residential Property Awards 2026.
Delivered for Torbay Council as end user, and developed by Armada Property UK, the scheme reflects a collaborative approach to tackling local housing need through thoughtful design and delivery.
This recognition highlights the growing importance of housing that responds directly to local need, makes use of existing buildings and delivers lasting social value.
Affordable housing in Torquay: transforming a former hotel into homes
Brampton Court is the conversion of a former hotel in Torquay into 14 homes for social rent. The scheme forms part of a wider initiative led by Torbay Council to bring redundant coastal buildings back into use and address housing pressure in the area.
As noted in national coverage, the development sits within the council’s “Hotels to Homes” programme, which aims to bring empty buildings back into use while helping to address the housing shortage.
The homes are prioritised for local people, including key workers, reinforcing the role of the scheme as more than housing alone. By offering social rent homes in a central location, the project supports both community stability and access to local employment.
Adaptive reuse in housing: designing within an existing building
Working with an existing hotel building brings a distinct set of challenges. Deep plans, fixed structures and inherited servicing strategies all shape what is possible.
The design approach focused on creating well proportioned, naturally lit homes within the existing structure, while reworking circulation to support clear residential layouts. Fabric and systems were upgraded to improve energy performance and comfort, ensuring the building reads as housing rather than a conversion.
Rather than imposing a new form, the scheme works with what is already there. This reduces embodied carbon and makes practical use of an underused asset, aligning with the delivery ambitions of Armada Property UK and the long term housing strategy of Torbay Council.
Social impact of affordable housing in Devon
Brampton Court is a modest scheme in scale, but its impact is wider. It contributes to reducing reliance on temporary accommodation, while supporting local services and employers through stable housing for key workers.
The scheme also marks an important milestone locally, described as “the first council homes delivered directly by Torbay Council in a generation”. This positions the project not only as a housing development, but as part of a renewed role for local authorities in delivering homes.
It also reflects a wider strategy led by Torbay Council, where bringing empty properties back into use is seen as a key part of addressing housing need across Torbay.
Why Brampton Court stood out at the South West Property Awards
Affordable housing is often delivered under tight constraints, but Brampton Court demonstrates how those constraints can be handled with clarity and care.
The project shows how existing buildings can be reimagined into high quality homes, and how smaller sites can deliver meaningful social value. This alignment between design quality and community impact is increasingly central to recognition at the South West Residential Property Awards 2026, where judges have highlighted the importance of schemes that deliver lasting benefits for local areas.
Award winning affordable housing in the South West: looking ahead
This award is an important moment for the project team and for everyone involved in bringing Brampton Court forward.
More importantly, it highlights the value of practical, well considered housing that responds to real conditions on the ground. Delivered through collaboration between Armada Property UK and Torbay Council, Brampton Court shows how existing buildings can be adapted to provide high quality homes, while supporting wider regeneration and long term stability.
We hope it helps build momentum for similar projects across Torquay, Devon and the wider South West.
