We have launched a consultation on three new proposed conservation area appraisals - Torquay Harbour, Paignton Old Town, and Brixham Town.

As part of the consultation – which runs from Monday 17 March to Monday 7 April - there are online and paper surveys and a series of face to face engagement events in each town.

We announced in late 2024 that three of Torbay’s key areas – Brixham Town, Paignton Old Town and Torquay Harbour – are set to benefit from a major new partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund’s ‘Heritage Places’ scheme.

The three areas chosen last had Conservation Area Appraisals 15 years ago (and in Torquay Harbour’s case more than 20 years ago) so these need to be updated. The consultations include:

• The updating of the conservation area appraisals for the identified conservation areas.
• review of the boundaries for each conservation area.

The conservation areas will also support The Local Plan for Torbay.

Councillor Jackie Thomas said: “We are pleased to be able to launch our surveys on the proposed Brixham Town, Paignton Old Town and Torquay Harbour conservation area appraisals and we would love to hear your views.

“The partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s ‘Heritage Places’ scheme and the investment it brings is very exciting, particularly for these first three areas.

“As a council we are committed to protecting and celebrating our local heritage and this work will also complement a range of other projects currently taking place in the Bay, such as the Public Realm works in Torquay and Paignton and investment in Brixham Harbour, as well as the delivery of the Torbay Heritage Strategy 2021-2026.

“So please do take part, either take the surveys, come to one of our face to face engagement events, or email heritageanddesign@torbay.gov.uk “

Hettie Dix, Associate from Purcell who are working on behalf of the Council, said:  “Over the past few months, Purcell have conducted detailed appraisals of the Brixham Town, Old Paignton and Torquay Harbour conservation areas - researching their history, and conducting on-site surveys to establish what makes each place particularly special.

“The appraisals are accessible, useable documents which set out the special interest of each area, identify opportunities for future improvement and provide guidance for homeowners and developers looking to make changes or improvements. This will help to ensure that future changes respond to the special character of each place, and continue to make Brixham, Torquay and Paignton desirable places to live, work and visit.”

Details of engagement events

• Torquay – Wednesday 19 March, 10am to 2pm, Unit 24, Fleet Walk upper gallery (near Sports Direct)

Saturday 22 March, 10am to 2pm, Unit 24, Fleet Walk upper gallery (near Sports Direct).

• Paignton – Tuesday 25 March, 10am to 2pm, Paignton Library and Community Hub

Friday 28 March, 10am to 2pm, Paignton Library and Community Hub

• Brixham – Tuesday 1 April, 10am to 2pm, Scala Hall Brixham

Friday 4 April, 10am to 2pm, Fore Street, Brixham

Find out more and take the surveys.