Brixham Central

What this project is about

Brixham Central is the main arrival point into the town, making it a critical gateway that shapes both first and last impressions for residents and visitors. Enhancing this central hub presents a significant opportunity to create a more attractive, accessible and safer environment that is better connected to the rest of the town.

As part of this vision, there is also the opportunity to provide high-quality, well-designed parking that meets modern expectations and supports the wider economic offer and overall visitor experience.

This is a genuine engagement opportunity for people to influence the direction of the project before design options are developed and taken forward to consultation.

Local context

There are five main car parks in Brixham, including 163 spaces at Brixham Central. All other parking areas require a 10 to 15 minute walk into the town centre.

During busy times, parking can be constrained. This means motorists often circulate to find a space, leading to congestion. Additionally, the proposed development at Oxen Cove will result in the loss of parking spaces.

To support Brixham’s economic viability, it is essential to replace this lost capacity and increase overall parking availability. Reliable, well-located parking underpins the success of local businesses, the hospitality sector, the visitor economy, and the functioning of the Fish Market. It plays a key role in encouraging footfall, supporting longer stays, and improving the overall experience for residents, workers, and visitors.

Local Transport Policy (LTP)

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.

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 for retail and other main town centre uses need 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 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 unobstructed 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 space 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 ultimately 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 has revealed unique challenges, particularly around flood risk, in-ground services and historic structures which rule out some forms of development.

The conclusion is that the most suitable use of the site is for continued car parking with options focused on enhanced capacity and improved facilities.

Option appraisal process

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

The process flows from:

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

We are currently developing the SOC, of which this public engagement forms an important part as it informs us of the public’s views on potential options, to add both information and context to the objectives that we have set for the project, and the Local Policy Context in which it sits.

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.

During the OBC stage, we would submit a Planning Application and undertake Statutory Consultation for the preferred option.

Our programme is for the SOC to be completed in summer 2026 with a Planning Application submitted in the autumn and the OBC to be completed by December.

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 cost of delivering the project. This will depend on the preferred option or options presented at a later date.

The options

Option 1 – Do nothing

One option for the site is to leave it as it currently is, without any development taking place.

Additional parking spaces would not be provided and nor would there be any onward public realm or public transport improvements to the area.

Considering the expansion of Brixham Fish Market onto Oxen Cove car park, this would mean there would be an overall loss of parking spaces in Brixham.

Option 2 – A two level car park

This option looks to provide a single deck above the current car park, with realigned spaces on the ground floor.

• Parking capacity – 310 spaces
• Cost – to be confirmed
• Construction timeline – one year
• Associated benefits
  • Public realm and public transport improvements
  • Elective Vehicle charging points
  • Create a new vehicle exit and pedestrian access onto Middle Street
  • Retain Union Lane and the Town Square

This option has the lowest cost and shortest construction timeline, whilst also providing additional parking spaces.

Option 3 – A three level car park

This option looks to provide two decks above the current car park.

• Parking capacity – 360 spaces
• Cost – to be confirmed
• Construction timeline – two years
• Associated benefits
  • Public realm and public transport improvements
  • Elective Vehicle charging points
  • Create a new vehicle exit and pedestrian access onto Middle Street
  • Retain Union Lane and the Town Square

This option would have the greatest visual impact of all the options proposed, due to the height of the three level car park. It would also have a greater cost and longer construction timeline than a two level car park.

Option 4 – A three level lowered car park

This option looks to excavate the site to substantially reduce the existing ground floor level whilst adding two new decks above.

• Parking capacity – 360 spaces
• Cost – to be confirmed
• Construction timeline – two to three years
• Associated benefit
  • Public realm and public transport improvements
  • Elective Vehicle charging points
  • Create a new vehicle exit and pedestrian access onto Middle Street
  • Retain Union Lane and the Town Square

This option would provide more parking spaces without having as great a visual impact as the double-deck option. This option includes a significant capital cost and length of construction time, at over two years and taking out two full summer periods.

Why your views matter

Brixham deserves a high-quality arrival experience, regardless of how you travel into the town or how often you visit. We want you to help shape this work. Your insight is essential in ensuring Brixham Central becomes a better-connected gateway to the town centre.

Everyone with an interest in Brixham is encouraged to take part.

We want to understand:

• How people currently experience arriving in Brixham
• What works well and what doesn’t in terms of the arrival environment, wayfinding and parking
• What ideas people have to make Brixham Central feel more welcoming, efficient and easier to navigate
• Which of the four proposed options should we consider and move forward with.

How to get involved

Engagement opens Monday 11 May and closes on Friday 22 May at 5pm.

Public drop-in event

• Thursday 14 May, 3.30pm to 6pm
• Scala Hall, Brixham
• Meet the project team, view early ideas and share your feedback in person.

Online feedback platform

• Open for two weeks, closing Friday 22 May at 5pm.
• Share your thoughts at a time that suits you.

Next steps

Once a preferred option has been decided on, we will consult with the local community before any planning application is submitted. It is at this point that detailed technical surveys would be undertaken to assess detailed areas, such as traffic impacts.