Prestigious Coastal Residential Development in Wellswood

Commissioned by PG Group, this remarkable development transforms the former Stoodley Knowle Girls’ School site into a collection of 90 properties, including houses, three apartment blocks, and the redevelopment of several historic and listed buildings. Situated atop cliffs above Anstey’s Cove in Torbay, the development occupies 40 acres of wildflower meadow and ancient woodland, offering homes with panoramic views over Ilsham Valley, Torbay, and the Jurassic Coastline. The site also includes a historic quarter featuring a thirteenth-century oratory and a medieval manor house.

Craddys were appointed across all RIBA stages to deliver a civil- and structures-led service, encompassing both permanent works and complex site engineering. Our scope included an extensive cut-and-fill exercise to limit excavation into the limestone and achieve a cost-effective levels strategy across the steeply sloping site.

Key challenges included working on a constrained cliff-top location, integrating new structures with historic buildings, and managing complex earthworks to balance stability, cost, and constructability. Craddys’ innovative design solutions ensured a safe, efficient, and sensitive development that respects the site’s heritage and maximises its stunning coastal setting.