Torbay Local Plan Update (2025 to 2045): A Landscape to Thrive
Coming soon: Have your say on Torbay's emerging Local Plan
We will soon ask residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say on the next stage of the emerging Local Plan.
The Regulation 19 consultation opens in August. We will confirm the exact date. The consultation asks if the plan is ready to move to the next stage, which is the independent examination.
The Local Plan will guide how Torbay develops up to 2045. Once adopted, it will become the legal starting point for deciding planning applications. It will help make sure that Torbay grows in a way that supports:
- sustainable communities
- economic prosperity
- environmental protection.
Regulation 18 consultation
The consultation comes after the Regulation 18 consultation, which took place from November 2025 to January 2026. During that stage, we asked residents, businesses and stakeholders what they thought of the draft Local Plan.
To shape Regulation 19, we used:
- feedback from Regulation 18
- updated evidence and assessments completed in 2026
View the Regulation 18 consultation review.
Regulation 19 consultation
The Regulation 19 consultation is different from the previous stage.
This time, we will ask whether the plan:
- is the right plan for Torbay
- is based on the right evidence
- meets national planning policy and legislation
- is ready to be examined by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Government
We will review the comments we receive before we prepare the final draft of the Torbay Local Plan. Full Council will consider the final draft in December 2026. If approved, we will submit it to the Secretary of State.
After submission, the plan will be independently examined. We expect that it will be adopted in 2027/28.
What happens next
Look out for our press releases, newsletter and social media updates in the next few weeks.
In December 2015, we adopted our new Local Plan. Alongside Neighbourhood Plans, this provides the basis for planning decisions within Torbay.
This covers the spatial strategy and strategic delivery objectives. It covers all three towns, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. It works alongside policies for managing change and development in the Bay. The Plan allocates areas for:
- investment in tourism
- future growth areas for housing and employment
- proposed Country Parks
- existing and proposed shopping centres and transport hubs
It works with the Countryside Area, Urban Landscape Protection Areas and Undeveloped Coast. It also includes information and policies about things such as:
- waste and minerals
- showing sites for potential housing and or employment development
- heritage and nature conservation information such as Conservation Areas and European protected sites
- landscape and environment designations such as AONB
This list is not exhaustive and gives only a flavour of the topics covered within the Plan.
The final published document is available to view online using the links below.
To purchase a hard copy or copy on USB in an easily accessible, printable PDF please contact Future Planning
The hard copy and memory stick version of the Plan will include:
- the main policy (written statement) document
- the key diagram and land allocation/designation (policy) maps
- policies Map Cover
- frontispiece
- key Diagram
- map layout page
- policies Map Sheets 1-39
- town Centre Maps for Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
- key
Review and update
Following a review of the Adopted Local Plan in 2020, the council is preparing an update to its housing supply policies.
September 2022 Update: The Interactive Local Plan is now hosted on a new Platform. Please see the instructions for use in the ‘welcome’ section and ensure all the Local Plan Policy layers are displayed when reviewing a site.
Interactive Torbay Local Plan Policies Map 2012 - 2030
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Strategic Delivery Areas Addendum
Strategic Delivery Areas Proposed Additional Sites
Strategic Delivery Areas Proposed Additional Sites to be included as Proposed Main Modifications
Please also see the Torbay Local Plan Update The local plan update: a landscape to thrive - Torbay Council and the South Hams SAC Guidance https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/policies/planning-policies/local-plan/south-hams-sac-hra-guidance/ webpages for additional evidence base information.