Kemp Complete Contribution to Union Square

Union Square is the first site to be brought forward as part of Torbay Council’s ambitious regeneration partnership with Willmott Dixon and Milligan. Situated in the middle of Torquay, the project will include the redevelopment of the shopping centre to create affordable housing, public spaces, and new opportunities for local businesses. The council have secured £11 million of Town Deal funding, making this an exciting start to the regeneration of Torquay’s high street.

The wider partnership is expected to bring forward five other sites across Torquay and Paignton, delivering up to 700 homes, new healthcare facilities, public spaces, and employment opportunities. The redevelopment of Union Square has been carefully thought out with the help of the local community, ensuring the design benefits local people while retaining important existing features such as the multi-storey car park.

Kemp’s Role

Kemp was commissioned to provide the survey data required to support the planning and design process of this project. Our team combined traditional survey methods with the latest digital technology to capture a complete and highly accurate picture of the site.

When Kemp was first approached, the scope of work centred on a CCTV drainage survey to MSCC5 standard. However, during discussions with the client, it became clear that the redevelopment’s complexity required a much more comprehensive suite of surveys. The final brief included a PAS 128 Underground Utility Survey Level B(P), a full topographical survey, a measured building survey, drainage condition reporting, and, crucially, the creation of a detailed 3D Revit model to integrate all this data for the design and planning teams.

The project’s urban location and the need to capture both external and internal site information meant careful planning and a wide range of technical approaches. Our teams worked across both day and night shifts to avoid disruption and to make the best use of available access windows. Using the RTC360 Leica Laser Scanner, we captured millions of high-precision 3D points to document the site’s geometry. A combination of Trimble and Leica GPS and Total Stations provided accurate control and positioning, while Stream DP Multi-Array and Mala EL Core Ground Penetrating Radar were deployed to detect and map underground utilities. UAV drone surveys delivered detailed aerial imagery and site overviews, supporting both mapping and visual presentation, and the Proteus MiniCam Crawler System provided clear footage for drainage inspection and assessment.

Each survey produced valuable standalone outputs, but combining all the data into a single 3D Revit model was a key deliverable and one of our main achievements. This combined information from our topographical survey, laser scanning, and aerial capture, we built a comprehensive external model of Union Square, with specific areas modelled to a higher level of detail to support design decisions. This

model was not just a visual representation, but an intelligent Building Information Model (BIM) containing geospatial accuracy, real-world measurements, and integrated technical data.

The Value of 3D Modelling

As mentioned above one of the main deliverables of this project was a 3D Revit model. Unlike traditional 2D outputs, the model reflected the site as it exists in reality, giving designers a clear and accurate picture to work from.

The Revit model will bring several key advantages to the team going forward. One of the things made easier is collaboration, with architects, engineers, and contractors able to use the same model at the same time, which in turn will reduce the risk of errors or miscommunication. Using Revit also supports integrated data, combining 3D modelling, 2D documentation, and data management to give a complete view of the site.

Another major benefit was clash detection. By identifying conflicts between structural and service elements early, the design team could resolve issues before construction began, saving both time and cost. The model also offered powerful visualisation capabilities, enabling photorealistic renderings and simulations that helped the team understand more how a design will look and function in real world conditions.  Finally, as a BIM deliverable, the model has value beyond the design stage, supporting both the construction process and long-term management of the completed development.

For Union Square, this approach gave the client and design team a powerful tool to test ideas, refine proposals, and prepare a planning application that is both technically sound and community-focused.

A Lasting Impact

The main goal of Union Square is to build a town centre that will help the community and last a long time. The project will create new homes, healthcare facilities, and spaces for businesses and leisure, while also providing jobs and training opportunities during construction.

Kemp contributed towards the project by delivering detailed surveys and modelling. Combining topographic, scanning, and UAV data with BIM, the team now has a reliable, data-driven base for planning and design.

Conclusion

At Kemp, we’re always proud to support local developments, especially ones as significant as Torbay. It’s exciting to work with the latest technology and see the difference it can make to a project. As the scheme moves through planning and towards construction, we look forward to watching Union Square evolve into a valuable space for the people of Torquay.