Brixham Fish Market Expansion Proposals

About this consultation

We have secured £20 million in Government Levelling Up Funding to support local jobs and strengthen long‑term economic growth in two key sectors: fishing and photonics. Almost half of this investment—£9.71 million—is allocated to expanding fish market operations at Oxen Cove.

In 2025, around £77 million worth of fish was landed and sold through Brixham Fish Market. This activity supports hundreds of jobs and a wide network of processors, logistics operators, suppliers and local businesses, making the fishing industry a vital part of the local economy.

The proposals

The Fish Market is now operating at full capacity, and without additional space Brixham could lose its competitive edge. The proposed expansion would provide 2,900m² of new waterside space across five purpose‑built industrial units, helping the harbour run more efficiently and meet growing demand.

The location

Oxen Cove has been identified as the most suitable location for this investment. It sits directly alongside existing Fish Market operations and is already partly used for fishing‑related activity. Both the Brixham Town Centre Masterplan and the Neighbourhood Plan support new facilities in this area, recognising the importance of protecting Brixham’s 600‑year fishing heritage while preparing the harbour for a strong and sustainable future.

Economic benefits

The expansion is expected to create around 40 new fishing‑related jobs and generate more than £11 million in additional economic value each year. Increased processing efficiency could raise the value of landed fish by up to £20 million per year within five years, potentially lifting total turnover above £100 million

A strong fishing sector supports local shops, hospitality venues and service providers, helping to sustain apprenticeships, skills development and long‑term employment across the community.

Fishing is one of the area’s major employers. For every one fisherman, an estimated eight additional jobs are created on shore — and up to fifteen more when hospitality roles linked to the industry are included.

Possible design option steel finish and long roof

Possible design option timber finish and long roof

Community engagement

Hearing your views is a vital part of this process. The public consultation runs from Monday 16 March to Wednesday 8 April. All feedback will be reviewed before a planning application is submitted. You can share your views online or by attending our drop‑in event on Saturday 21 March, from 10am to 2pm, at Scala Hall in Brixham.

Planning and delivery timelines

• Public consultation on the proposals closes on 8 April 2026
• Summer 2026 – planning application submitted
• Autumn / winter 2026 – planning decision
• Early 2027 – construction begins
• End of 2027 – construction completes
• Early 2028 – operational

All timescales are estimated and may change depending on the outcome of the planning process.

Further information

Who is behind this project

Torbay Council is the applicant, working with its regeneration partners Willmott Dixon and Milligan.

How the expansion will help the town centre

A stronger more productive fishing industry generates knock on benefits for shops, restaurants, hotels and service businesses in Brixham town centre. With around 90% of shopfronts being independent businesses, increased economic activity and visitor interest directly strengthens the local economy.

Impact on car parking

The development will result in the permanent loss of some car parking spaces at Oxen Cove. Several spaces have already been taken up by fishing‑related activity. There may also be a temporary reduction in spaces at the neighbouring Freshwater car park during construction.

We are actively working on ways to reduce the impact of both the short‑ and long‑term loss of parking. This includes exploring a park‑and‑ride service in the Churston area and creating additional parking spaces in the town centre. Early proposals for town centre parking options will be shared in late spring or early summer and will be consulted on separately.

A Transport Statement will accompany the planning application.

Coach parking

During construction, coach parking may be unavailable at Freshwater car park. As part of our mitigation planning, we will identify alternative coach drop‑off and pick‑up points in Brixham to ensure visitors can continue to access and enjoy the town. Longer‑term coach parking may be provided outside of Brixham.

Heritage 

The site is located within the Brixham Town Centre Conservation Area and sits close to several listed buildings. A Heritage Impact Assessment will be submitted with the planning application to ensure the design responds sensitively to its historic surroundings.

Flood risks

Part of the site is with Flood Zone 3. A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage strategy will be submitted with the planning application. Given the existing uses on the site and the nature of the proposed development, it is not considered that the scheme will increase flood risk on the site or elsewhere.

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path runs through the site, and the design will ensure public access is maintained. Features such as benches and signage will be kept. A temporary diversion may be needed during construction, and this will be carefully managed to ensure public safety.

Noise and odour

Noise and odour impacts from the proposed facility will be fully assessed as part of the technical work supporting the planning application. Managing the operational environment sensitively is an important part of the design process.

Residents with concerns about current fishing operations are advised to contact the Harbour Master.

Impact on traffic

A Transport Assessment is being prepared and will be submitted with the planning application. This will assess the expected impact of the development and identify any measures needed to manage vehicle movements, including cars, vans and industry HGVs. Mitigation could include traffic management to ensure vehicles can move safely to and around the site.

The development is expected to generate an additional 8–10 HGV movements per week. Most HGV activity will remain within the existing Fish Market footprint.

Residents with concerns about current fishing operations are advised to contact the Harbour Master.

Construction management

If planning permission is granted, construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the scheme operational by early 2028. A Construction Traffic Management Plan will be agreed, setting out permitted working hours, vehicle routes and delivery scheduling to minimise disruption.

Managing current tenants and land occupiers

We are closely engaging with current tenant and land occupiers. We are in active discussions with current Fish market tenants to understand who may be interested in relocating processing operations to Oxen Cove. These conversations are ongoing, and no decisions have been made about which businesses will occupy the new units. While the discussions are commercially sensitive, there is strong interest from existing site users.

Funding

The scheme is back by £9.791 million of Government Levelling Up Funding.  As required by the funding conditions, the new units will be reserved exclusively for businesses operating within the fishing industry. The funding cannot be used for any other purpose. The funding was awarded on the condition that it is fully spent by March 2028.

Future expansion phases

This planning application is entirely standalone and does not depend on, or require, the delivery of a fixed link between the Fish Market and Oxen Cove. The proposals have been assessed on their own merits to ensure they are robust as an independent scheme.

The fixed link would be a separate project with its own planning and delivery considerations. Any future decisions about a fixed link will not affect the viability or

delivery of the Fish Market expansion. If progressed, the fixed link would not be a public highway but a private access route only.

How fishing supports the community

The local fishing industry, along with Brixham Trawler Agents (BTA) are long‑standing supporters of many local community events and sport clubs including, Brixham Youth RFC, where they help more than 250 children play rugby. They also support a range of other clubs such as Brixham Cricket Club, Brixham AFC, the Boxing Club, Torquay United and the Brixham Ballers.

They contribute to important community facilities, including improvements at Brixham Theatre and support for Shoalstone Pool. They also donate to local food banks and Brixham Does Care and have funded space for the Doctors Surgery on the Quay. Their support for skills and education includes backing South Devon College’s fishing apprenticeship programme and hosting school visits to the Fish Market.

The organisations also play an active role in local charity fundraising. They have a long relationship with Rowcroft Hospice, sponsor the annual Brixham Santa Run, and have raised more than £70,000 for the Fisherman’s Mission through Fish Market Tours. BTA also support major community fundraising events, including the 2025 Ride for Dementia, and regularly back staff and local residents in their charity efforts.