Tor Bay Harbour Authority Port Masterplan Fit for a Sustainable Future for the Bay and the three enclosed Harbours of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay July 2013 Tor Bay Harbour Authority Port Masterplan Client Project Manager Consultant Funder Tor Bay Harbour Authority Torbay Development Agency Royal HaskoningDHV This Port Masterplan is part- Torquay Harbour Office 3rd Floor Tor Hill House Rightwell House financed by the European Regional Beacon Quay Union Street Bretton Development Fund under the Torquay Torquay Peterborough Interreg IVA France (Channel) – TQ1 2BG TQ2 5QW PE3 8DW England 2007-2013 programme www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk www.torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk www.royalhaskoningdhv.com www.interreg4a-channel.eu © Copyright by Royal HaskoningDHV and TDA, July 2013 Contents Foreword 4 Consultation & Community Engagement 28 Socio-economic considerations 54 Gordon Oliver, Mayor of Torbay Tor Bay Harbour 32 Implementation and delivery 56 Executive summary 6 Significance of the harbour Fishing and commercial activities Appendices 60 Introduction 14 Transport and connectivity References Setting the scene Spatial SWOT analysis Policy background – Planning Purpose & approach of the port masterplan Planning - policy background Policy background – Transport Transport - policy background Environmental Designations Context of Tor Bay Harbour 18 Green environment Tor Bay Recreation, leisure and tourism Brixham Harbour Paignton Harbour Proposals for Tor Bay Harbour 45 Torquay Harbour Tor Bay Harbour Brixham Harbour Strategy for Tor Bay Harbour Authority 26 Paignton Harbour Torquay Harbour Tor Bay Harbour Authority Port Masterplan Tor Bay Harbour Authority 4 Port Masterplan foreword Gordon Oliver, Mayor of torbay Foreword Mayor Oliver 5 Gordon “Torbay’s coastal location has been the most influential More recently an investment of some £20m has seen a new Foreword by factor in our history and it is also an essential part of our fish landing quay, office complex, fish processing units, fish Oliver, Mayor of Torbay future. With its sheltered location and horseshoe shape, Tor restaurant and new state of the art fish market at Brixham Bay offers a reliable, safe anchorage that has traditionally Harbour. Meanwhile, supported by the Environment been enjoyed by merchant shipping. These qualities have Agency, critical repairs have been undertaken to our major enabled the Bay to play a pivotal part in British maritime sea defences in both Torquay and Brixham. In total the last history including hosting the naval fleet during the decade has probably seen over £50m spent on core harbour Napoleonic Wars. infrastructure development. This level of investment in our harbour has helped to provide new jobs, deliver growth and Furthermore the geography provides near perfect help support the local economy. conditions for prestigious and historic sailing competitions. The first Tall Ships race was held in 1956 from Torquay to Creation of this Port Masterplan offers a unique opportunity Lisbon and Tall Ships remain regular visitors to the Bay to set out, for the first time, a practical and realistic strategy today. The historic fishing harbour at Brixham is the birth for the future of Tor Bay Harbour and its enclosed harbours. place of modern trawling and today it has the highest value This plan, which considers the legitimate needs of the of catch of any fishing port in England and Wales. The single whole range of harbour users and the wider community, statutory harbour (created in 1970) and its collective estate can then be considered alongside more traditional land (including Brixham, Torquay & Paignton) continues to be a based planning documents such as the Local Plan. crucial part of Torbay’s infrastructure and economy today, and with growing demand for this valuable resource it is I therefore look forward to seeing how the ideas suggested now time to set out our plan for the future. in the Masterplan emerge over the next 20-25 years, especially now that strategic thinking and decision making The enclosed harbours are essential for the fishing industry will be better informed.” and other commercial interests and they will play a key role in creating jobs for the future and stimulating economic growth. The Bay remains popular with leisure users and balancing their needs with those of industry and the natural environment is essential if we are to maintain a vibrant and sustainable harbour for future generations to use and enjoy. In the last 10 years significant progress has been made with widespread waterfront regeneration at Torquay Harbour, complete with the hugely popular Town Dock pontoon berthing project. Tor Bay Harbour Authority 6 Port Masterplan Executive Summary Executive Summary 7 Executive Summary development guidance on the most sustainable future for Zone) proposed by Defra. The coastline provides a flood Tor Bay Harbour and the three enclosed harbours. The Port defence for low lying coastal areas. Masterplan for Tor Bay Harbour will: ß form part of the evidence base for the new Torbay Local Although the Bay is used for many recreational activities it 1. Introduction Plan and assist regional and local planning bodies, and is also well used by merchant ships, naval vessels, tugs and The Port Masterplan has been prepared by Royal transport network providers, in preparing and revising towed barges and other vessels. The Bay is also used as a HaskoningDHV for Tor Bay Harbour Authority (TBHA). The their own development strategies Port of Refuge by marine casualties looking for a safe haven Masterplan covers the area within the limits of TBHA’s ß inform port users, employees and local communities as from south westerly storms. This makes the Bay very much jurisdiction and includes the enclosed harbours of Brixham, to how they can expect to see the port develop over a ‘working harbour’. Paignton and Torquay. the next 20 years in response to anticipated changes in the marine industry (both commercial and leisure), Brixham Harbour is the largest fishing harbour in England The Harbour Authority is responsible for improvements to the fishing and tourism industries, as well as industry and Wales by value of catch. It is well protected from wind the Harbour facilities to accommodate changes in the needs trends within the regional ports sector and waves from most sectors due to the shape of the Bay and demands of port customers, port users, stakeholders ß clarify the port's own strategic planning for the but is slightly exposed to refracted swell waves and wind and legislation in order to ensure a growing business. medium to long term waves from the north to north west sectors. This exposure Great efforts and significant expenditure has been made in ß show how the Harbour Authority expects to grow and limits the development opportunities in the Outer Harbour. preparing for and implementing a number of developments develop its business over time over the years (approximately £50m in the last 10 years ß indicate where changes of land-use are likely to be The harbour is surrounded by an attractive residential area alone). required to support growth and the harbour has a new large fish market. The outer ß highlight environmental measures to ensure that the harbour provides swinging moorings for boats and a large The purpose of the port masterplan is to: Harbour Authority makes a positive contribution to the marina with pontoons. The Breakwater provides a well- ß Identify the port's own strategic planning for the environment and amenity used promenade for residents and visitors. There is a well- medium to long term used slipway at Oxen Cove on the western side of the Outer ß Inform port employees, port users, the local community Harbour. and key stakeholders as to how they can expect to see 2. Context of Tor Bay and the three enclosed the port develop over the coming years harbours of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay The Inner Harbour is home to a fleet of six heritage sailing ß Assist regional and local planning bodies, and transport Tor Bay is a beautiful natural harbour providing shelter trawlers and a replica of the Golden Hind. It also provides network providers, in reviewing and preparing their from winds and waves from the westerly sector. Its natural some moorings for boats. own development strategies in accordance with the protection has traditionally allowed ships to anchor in the port’s future development Bay for shelter. The Bay is part of the Lyme Bay and Tor Bay Paignton Harbour entrance faces north and although candidate SAC (Special Area of Conservation). It also contains largely protected from most wind waves it is exposed to The Tor Bay Harbour Authority – Port Masterplan is a high a number of geological SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific swell waves from the eastern sectors. The harbour provides level document that provides overall strategic spatial Interest) and is in a potential MCZ (Marine Conservation a location for a number of marine related businesses Tor Bay Harbour Authority 8 Port Masterplan including a crab processing factory and for recreational improve Tor Bay Harbour and provide a cleaner and safer sailing activities particularly during the summer months. environment by addressing the following objectives: The harbour dries out at low tide and has a shortage of boat ß Maintain Tor Bay Harbour and the three enclosed storage areas. The harbour has two slipways, one on the harbours under the management of one Port Authority East Quay and one on the West Quay. It also has a small ß Review and use the statutory powers of the Harbour area for boat parking and dinghy storage. Authority to fulfil its statutory duties in a timely manner for the purpose of improving, maintaining and Torquay Harbour is well protected from wind and waves managing the harbour while continuing to contribute, from most sectors except refracted waves from the east where possible, to the finances of the owning authority to the southeast sectors.