Brixham Central consultation

Introduction

As the first impression of Brixham, Brixham Central plays a key role in shaping how people access and experience the town centre.

Torbay Council working with its regeneration partners, Willmott Dixon and Milligan and key stakeholders is developing proposals to create a welcoming, attractive and accessible gateway that reflects Brixham’s unique character and heritage. The project aims to improve connections, enhance public spaces and create a town centre environment that works better for everyone.

The proposals focus on two key areas: 

1. Enhancing the public realm to create a safer, more attractive and better-connected town centre.
2. Providing high-quality parking that meets modern expectations and supports the local economy and visitor experience.

What we’ve heard so far

Earlier this year, we asked residents, businesses and stakeholders for their views on the future of Brixham Central.

The feedback showed there was strong support for improving parking provision in the town centre, with many respondents supporting the principle of a new multi-storey car park.

• A total of 337 responses were received. Of these, 80% identified as Brixham residents, 16% as residents of Paignton or Torquay, and 4% as visitors or people living outside Torbay.
• In terms of connection to Brixham, 80% of respondents identified as non business resident, 8% as business owners, 7% as visitors, 2% as town centre workers, and 3% selected ‘other’.
• The respondent profile showed 28% aged 55–64, 25% aged 65–74, and 11% aged over 75. Those aged 18–54 accounted for 34% of responses, and 2% preferred not to disclose their age.
• Frequency of visits was high, with 30% visiting daily and 43% several times a week. A further 9% visited weekly, 16% a few times a month, and 3% rarely or for the first time.
• Perceptions of the overall arrival experience were mixed: 46% rated it as fair, 29% as poor, 20% as good, and 5% as excellent.
• When describing Brixham Central as the main arrival point, 52% selected negative descriptors such as unattractive, functional, tired, or outdated. Other commonly identified issues included a lack of quality public space or amenities, clutter, and difficulty navigating. Only 6% described the area as welcoming, clean, and pleasant.
• In terms of navigation, 48% found the area easy or very easy to navigate, 23% neither easy nor difficult, and 14% difficult. A further 15% felt the question was not applicable.
• Suggested improvements to the public realm focused on, landscaping and greenery (17%), more attractive and welcoming design (15%), additional seating (10%), clearer wayfinding and signage (10%), more weather protection for bus and coach passengers (10%). Lower scoring suggestions included improved safety, better lighting, cycle parking, and the inclusion of public art reflecting Brixham’s identity.
• The most common mode of travel to Brixham was by car (51%), followed by walking (37%), bus (5%), and cycling or motorcycling (2%).
• Among car users, Brixham Central car park was most frequently used (54%), followed by Breakwater (14%), Freshwater or Oxen Cove (14%), and Marina (3%).
• Accessibility needs were highlighted, with 16% identifying as Blue Badge holders or supporting someone who is, and 10% requiring parent and child spaces.
• Overall satisfaction with parking provision was relatively low: 45% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, 32% neutral, and 21% satisfied or very satisfied.
• The main issues identified with parking were, lack of spaces (18%), poor or outdated condition (17%), cost of parking (15%), narrow spaces (15%), congestion around car parks (12%). Smaller proportions raised concerns about signage (5%), safety (5%), accessibility (3%), EV charging (1%), and provision for motorcycles and cycles (1–2%). Notably, 3% reported no issues.
• A clear majority (84%) said parking becomes more difficult during peak visitor periods.
• Improvements most likely to enhance the parking experience included smoother traffic flow (13%), additional landscaping and improved public spaces (12% each), wider parking spaces (11%), improved pick up/drop off areas (11%), and better bus and coach facilities (10%). Other suggestions included improved signage and wayfinding (6% each) and additional accessible or specialist spaces (generally 1–4%).
• In terms of access solutions, respondents favoured park and ride (28%), followed by real time parking availability information (23%), improved public transport (20%), and better walking and cycling routes (16%).
• Looking ahead, 80% of respondents expected demand for parking to increase over the next 3–10 years, while 14% expected it to remain the same.
• The importance of parking to the local economy was strongly recognised, with 84% agreeing that improved provision is important for supporting local businesses.

The engagement survey shows that many people believe improvements are needed at Brixham Central. There are concerns about the current parking provision, particularly the number of spaces available, how well the area functions, and the overall experience when arriving in the town.

Feedback also highlights the need to strike the right balance between improving access and supporting local businesses, while protecting Brixham's character, reducing environmental and traffic impacts, and minimising disruption during construction.

Responses show that people care deeply about the future of Brixham town centre. While views differ on some issues, there is broad support for a balanced approach that improves the way the area works, creates a more attractive and accessible public space, and better connects with wider transport options.

The feedback received will help shape the next stage of the project and has reinforced the importance of improving this key town centre location for residents, businesses and visitors.

No decision has been made on which car park option, will be taken forward. We are still engaging with the community to better understand local needs and aspirations for Brixham Central, and feedback gathered through this process will help inform the development of the proposals.

What this phase of engagement is about

This phase of engagement is focused on the public spaces around Brixham Central and how they should look, feel and function in the future. Rather than asking people to comment on a specific car park design, we want to understand what matters most to the community when it comes to the wider experience of arriving in and moving through Brixham.

We would like your views on:

• The arrival experience into Brixham.
• Walking routes and connections around the town centre.
• Accessibility and inclusion.
• Local character, heritage and identity.
• Opportunities for seating, landscaping and public spaces.
• How any future works could be delivered while maintaining access and reducing disruption where possible.

Your feedback will help establish a community-led vision and inform future design principles for the site.

Have your say

We are inviting residents, businesses, visitors and community groups to take part in the conversation and help shape the future of this important town-centre location.

Public drop-in event

• Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
• Location: Scala Hall, Brixham
• Time: 10am to 2pm

Come along to view the latest information and share your thoughts with the project team.

You will be able to explore ideas relating to the public realm, connectivity, accessibility and the future character of Brixham Central, as well as discuss how the project could be delivered.

If you cannot attend the in-person event, you can still share your views by completing the online feedback survey.

We are keen to hear from residents, businesses, visitors and community groups to ensure the proposals reflect the needs of the whole community.

The online survey will be available until 5pm on Friday 16 October 2026.

Why get involved? 

Brixham Central is more than a car park. It is the gateway to the town and an important part of the experience for people who live, work and visit here. This engagement is an opportunity to help shape a place that is welcoming, accessible and distinctly Brixham.

Every comment received will help inform the project's next steps and ensure local knowledge and community priorities are reflected in future design development.

Next steps 

This engagement phase will run until 5pm on Friday 16 October 2026.

At the end of this engagement phase, all feedback will be shared with the design team and considered alongside comments received through previous engagement to help develop a preferred design option.

Before any planning application is submitted, we will consult with the local community on the preferred proposal. We currently anticipate submitting a planning application in the spring of 2027, which could mean public consultation on the preferred option takes place towards the end of 2026. 

These timescales are indicative and subject to change.

Additional information

Local Transport Policy

Development Plan policies in the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Development Plan outline the strategic vision for Brixham. That vision is captured in Policy SDB1 for the Brixham Peninsula, which states:

“Brixham will accommodate appropriate but limited new growth. A range of developments will be sought to sustain a viable retail function, maintain an appropriate range of community facilities and meet local housing and employment needs. Brixham’s role as a fishing port and resort, with a nationally important and historic working and creative harbour, will be enhanced.”

The Brixham Central site has been identified in the Plans as a potential brownfield development site with a number of potential uses proposed including a continued role for car parking alongside potential for retail, residential and improved public realm.

The constraints of the site are recognised, with the policies noting that any proposals foe retail and other main town centre uses needs to be considered against policies relating to flood risk and retention of an appropriate level of car parking.

Other themes in the Plans acknowledge the important role of the fishing industry, the need to ensure a vibrant and successful town centre function, and measures to support the visitor economy.

Specifically on transport, the Local Transport Plan, endorsed by Torbay Council in March 2025 highlights the following priorities for Brixham.

“In Brixham we will improve the functionality of the town centre bus stops area by creating more space for bus parking without blocking traffic on the road. We will also improve access to key points of interest such as the Harbour and town centre for commercial vehicles and tourists.”

“A clear and unobstructive route to Brixham Harbour for commercial vehicles is essential for it to retain and develop its status as one of the UK’s primary fishing centres. We will look to improve key access points into the town centre, ensuring parking facilities are appropriate, clear routes are provided and public realm and pedestrian spaces is enhanced.”

To achieve this, the LTP Measures include improvements to Brixham Bus Station and improved controlled parking facilities to improve access and journey times to Brixham Harbour.

Site context

The original Brixham Central multi storey car park, constructed in the early 1960s, suffered significant deterioration due to marine weathering, which led to extensive corrosion of its steel frame. Despite several phases of structural repair, the deterioration continued and the structure was demolished in 2005.

Significant work has been carried out to understand the history of the site and the constraints affecting how it can be developed.

This work has revealed unique challenges, particularly around flood risk, in-ground services and historic structures which rule out some forms of development.

Brixham Town Conservation Area

The site is within the Brixham Town Conservation Area.

Any future design would closely consider this, the local situation and context.

Cost

We do not yet know the overall cost of delivering the project, as this will depend on the preferred option that is taken forward following consultation and further design work.

Funding for the project is expected to come from a combination of government grant funding and council borrowing.

The option appraisal process

In common with most Local Authorities, we are following the Government’s standard methodology for developing Business Cases for public sector investment.

This process flows from;

• Project Inception
• Strategic Outline Case (SOC)
• Outline Business Case (OBC)
• Full Business Case (FBC)

We are currently developing the SOC for Brixham Central, of which public engagement forms an important part.

The development of an SOC leads to the development of a single preferred main option (which might have sub-options; for example, for architectural treatment of the public realm and buildings) to be further developed through the OBC development stage. During the OBC stage, Torbay Council would submit a Planning Application and undertake Statutory Consultation for the preferred option.

Our current programme is to submit a planning application in early 2027.