Torbay Local Plan Update (2025 to 2045): A Landscape to Thrive
Regulation 19 consultation closed
Our Regulation 19 consultation has now closed. Many thanks to all who submitted comments. We will process responses and will make them available to view on our online consultation site in the next week. Comments submitted outside of our online system take longer to process and will follow at a later stage.
The Regulation 19 consultation ran from 13 August until 24 September. It asked whether the plan is ready to move forward to independent examination.
The Local Plan is an important document that will guide development across Torbay up to 2045. Once adopted, it will become the legal starting point for planning applications.
It will help make sure that Torbay grows in a way that supports:
- sustainable communities
- economic prosperity
- environmental protection.
The consultation followed the Regulation 18 stage, which took place between November 2025 and January 2026. Regulation 18 asked residents, businesses and stakeholders for their views on the draft Local Plan.
We used the feedback received during the Regulation 19 consultation, along with updated evidence and technical assessments completed during 2026 to shape the published Regulation 19 consultation.
What happens next
We will review the comments we received before preparing 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.
Regulation 18 consultation
The Regulation 19 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
Evidence base
The Local Plan Update is supported by a number of technical studies, topic papers and reports. These are available below.
Housing
Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HENA)
Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)
Employment
13947Retail and Town Centres
11249,11103Provides up to date evidence on retail land use and town centre health issues for an update to the Torbay Local Plan.
Appendices for the main 2022 Torbay Retail Study.
This study is intended as a broad assessment of landscape and visual sensitivity at a Landscape Character Type (LCT) scale considering different wind and solar development scenarios (small, medium and large).
This study focuses on the landscape and visual sensitivity of potential new or extended Future Growth Areas to residential and commercial development.
This study provides an analysis of the Urban Landscape Protection Areas (ULPA) that are designated in the extant Torbay Local Plan. The aim is to understand what contribution these spaces make to the landscape of Torbay.
This study provides an analysis of the Local Green Spaces (LGS) that are designated in the Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plans. The aim is to understand what contribution these spaces make to the landscape of Torbay. It does not address the criteria that are not related to landscape.
This study provides an analysis of the Public Open Spaces (POS) that are designated in the Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan1. The overall aim is to understand what contribution these spaces make to the landscape of Torbay. This study does not address the criteria that are not related to landscape.
This report provides initial guidance on criteria-based approaches to identification and designation of valued landscapes in Torbay.
A strategic study of the potential loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land to housing and employment allocations in the Local Plan, and it forms part of the Local Plan evidence base.
A strategic study of the potential loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land to housing and employment allocations in the Local Plan, and it forms part of the Local Plan evidence base.
Habitats Regulations Assessment Guidance - October 2019
This report supplements and adds to the main Habitats Regulations Assessment for the Torbay Local Plan.
Report of visitor survey carried out in July and August 2016.
Torbay Local Plan South Hams SAC Greater Horseshoe bat evidence study - key findings report
This report provides an assessment of the future sewer capacity in Torbay
Delivering Torbay Council's embodied carbon policy.
Estimating cost uplifts of Torbay Council's Net Zero Carbon Development Policy.