More than 60 new jobs have been created in Torbay with the opening of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust’s all-weather, year-round, visitor attraction at Occombe Farm. The opening of Occombe Farm Park and Play is the final phase in the massive regeneration of the farm on outskirts of Paignton.
A new and much larger farm shop opened in August last year and an extended and refurbished farm café opened the year before. The total cost of the redevelopment has been put at around £2m.
Occombe Farm Park and Play is a mix of indoor and outdoor play, with an “animal encounters” barn and a self-guided trail around the animal paddocks. Damian Offer, the CEO of the trust, said: “We started planning the regeneration of Occombe over four years ago. After much hard work by all involved, we are delighted to finally see it become a reality.
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“We wanted to create a great and fun place to visit that would also generate funds towards our charitable work across Torbay. The additional funds from Occombe will enable us to do more and achieve our aspirations for a vibrant and healthy natural environment that the local community and visitors can experience and enjoy.
“The pandemic has shown us all how important our green spaces are for our mental and physical wellbeing, and Occombe will help TCCT protect and manage them for future generations.” Mr Offer said the launch had been a significant achievement for the trust.
He added: “It has been an enormous challenge. Working through the disruption of a worldwide pandemic and the impact of Brexit on supply chains has been a real trial for all involved.” The trust is a small conservation charity caring for many of Torbay’s green spaces, including Cockington and Berry Head. It manages 40 miles of paths and bridleways.
“Occombe is a shop window to share Torbay’s great natural heritage story,” said Mr Offer. “Even the unique new play space has been designed to represent the places TCCT cares for. It has cliff faces to scramble up, a giant winkle shell to climb inside, slides to soar down, a shipwreck to clamber over, even a woodland with musical trees.”
Clever lighting effects and sounds of the sea and woodlands create a sensory play experience too. The new Occombe Farm Park and Play is now open every day. A seasonal programme of activities includes meeting lambs, piglets, rabbits, goats, chickens and ponies.
