A COMPLEX web of scaffolding is going up around Paignton’s most prestigious historic building as long-awaited renovations begin.

Oldway Mansion, once the home of the wealthy Singer family, has been empty for 12 years since Torbay Council stopped using it as offices.

Now it is hoped that the historic mansion can be returned to full public use, with a register office opened again for weddings, public spaces and a restaurant with the possibility of having some kind of accommodation on the upper floors.

Volunteers have maintained the mansion’s extensive gardens despite the main house being closed.

The car park in front of the mansion is currently closed, with a network of scaffolding going up.

The council says the scaffolding has been designed to ensure that it is not fixed to the building. It is being put up by a specialist firm with experience of historic buildings.

Installing the scaffolding is expected to take around five months, after which the council’s appointed contractors will start work.

Roof covering work is scheduled to take place in December, followed by repairs to floors, lintels and the roof structure.

Repairs and replacement of windows and doors will follow.

These ‘Phase One’ works should be complete by the end of 2027.

Internal protection work has already begun inside the mansion, including covering the unique marble stairs and floors to prevent any damage, putting up timber partitions to protect glass walls and statues on the first floor.

Around 20 members of the Singer family recently enjoyed a tour of the building to view progress on the restoration project.

Descendants of Isabella Singer met council officers, a local historian and conservation architects.