TORBAY LOCALPLAN A landscape for success The Plan for Torbay: 2012 to 2030 TORBAY LOCAL PLAN 2012-2030 A landscape for success Adopted December 2015 LOCAL PLAN POLICIES DOCUMENT Design concept and artwork by Communications Team, Torbay Council Cover images: Abbey Sands © Colin Cadle; Torbay aerial view © Aerial photographs by Roger D Smith ABIPP, Gosport. Other photographs by Torbay Council, English Riviera Tourist Board and Torbay Development Agency. Printed by Printing Services, Torbay Council, using environmentally friendly paper derived from sustainable sources TORBAY LOCAL PLAN LOCAL TORBAY Prepared and published by Spatial Planning, Torbay Council www.torbay.gov.uk www.twitter.com/torbay_council www.facebook.com/torbaycouncil Telephone 01803 201201 To request this document in an alternative format, please contact Spatial Planning, Torbay Council using the contact details above Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 PAGE 3 TORBAY LOCAL PLAN PAGE 4 PAGE Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 PREFACE Adoption and operation of the Local Plan The Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 was adopted by Torbay Council at its meeting on 10 December 2015 (Minute 97/Council 2015). The Local Plan subsequently became operative on the same date. Further details are set out in the Notice of Adoption, the Local Plan Adoption Statement and related Appendices, and the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement, published in December 2015. Accordingly, the Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 supersedes the previous Adopted Torbay Local Plan 1995-2011. This is with the exception of Sections 13-15 (The Historic Environment) and Preface Sections 16-19 (The Natural Environment) of the 2004 Adopted Torbay Local Plan Environmental Guide, which continue to retain weight as supplementary planning guidance in the determination of planning applications, subject to their consistency with policy and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG). Further details are set out in Paragraphs 1.2.10 to 1.2.17. TORBAY LOCAL PLAN LOCAL TORBAY The Local Plan provides a policy framework for the proposed Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Peninisula Neighbourhood Plans that are being prepared for the area. These three Plans, together with the Masterplans that have been adopted for key growth areas, will help to deliver the Policies of the Local Plan at a more detailed neighbourhood level. When ‘made’ (or adopted), the three Neighbourhood Plans and the Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 will form the development plan for Torbay. Format of the Local Plan The published Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 is available in two formats: Firstly, a paper version comprising two separate parts: The Torbay Local Plan Policies Document (this document), which sets out details of: » The opportunities in the area and the challenges faced » The vision and ambition of the Local Plan » The spatial strategy and policies for strategic direction » Strategic Delivery Areas, providing a policy framework for neighbourhood plans » Policies for managing change and development in Torbay » Delivery and monitoring » Appendices containing details of supporting material The Torbay Local Plan Key Diagram and Policies Map Booklet, which sets out details of : Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 PAGE 5 » The geographical location of the Strategic Policy Areas and Strategic Delivery Areas that form the basis of the Plan’s Spatial Strategy (shown on the Key Diagram) » The location of Future Growth Areas and the areas that are the subject of a wide range of detailed Local Plan Policies and Proposals, together with a number of related spatial planning matters that are shown for information (shown on the Policies Map Sheets and the large scale Town Centre Inset Maps). Secondly, the Local Plan is available as a web-based electronic version comprising the above Torbay Local Plan Policies Document and the Torbay Local Plan Key Diagram and fully interactive Policies Map, accessible via www.torbay.gov.uk The Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations documents that accompany the Local Plan are also available on the Council’s website. Preface TORBAY LOCAL PLAN LOCAL TORBAY PAGE 6 Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ............................................................14 1.1 The Plan in a nutshell ...............................................14 1.2 More about the Plan .................................................17 2. Opportunities and challenges .............................................22 2.1 The Bay’s USP - Unique Selling Point ...................................22 2.2 Key issues facing Torbay .............................................25 2.3 The ‘big-ticket’ items promoted in this Plan ..............................30 3. Vision and ambition .....................................................34 3.1 Aspirations for the Bay ..............................................34 3.2 Future outcomes ...................................................38 Contents 4. Spatial Strategy and Policies for strategic direction ............................42 4.1 A balanced and sustainable approach to growth ..........................42 Policy SS1 Growth Strategy for a prosperous Torbay .........................46 Policy SS2 Future Growth Areas ..........................................50 Policy SS3 Presumption in favour of sustainable development ..................53 TORBAY LOCAL PLAN LOCAL TORBAY 4.2 Aspiration 1: Secure economic recovery and success .....................54 Policy SS4 The economy and employment .................................56 Policy SS5 Employment space ...........................................58 4.3 Aspiration 2: Achieve a better connected, accessible Torbay and essential infrastructure ..............................................63 Policy SS6 Strategic transport improvements ...............................65 Policy SS7 Infrastructure, phasing and delivery of development .......................................................69 4.4 Aspiration 3: Protect and enhance a superb environment ..................72 Policy SS8 Natural environment ..........................................73 Policy SS9 Green infrastructure ..........................................75 Policy SS10 Conservation and the historic environment ......................78 4.5 Aspiration 4: Create more sustainable communities and better places ........82 Policy SS11 Sustainable communities .....................................86 Policy SS12 Housing ..................................................89 Policy SS13 Five year housing land supply .................................92 4.6 Aspiration 5: Respond to climate change ................................95 Policy SS14 Low carbon development and adaptation to climate change .........96 5. Strategic Delivery Areas - a policy framework for Neighbourhood Plans ..........100 5.1 Background and context ............................................100 5.2 Torquay ..........................................................101 5.2.1 Torquay Strategic Policy Area ........................................101 Policy SDT1 Torquay ..................................................101 Adopted Torbay Local Plan 2012-2030 PAGE 7 5.2.2 Torquay Town Centre and Harbour ....................................105 Policy SDT2 Torquay Town Centre and Harbour ............................105 5.2.3 Torquay Gateway ..................................................107 Policy SDT3 Torquay Gateway ..........................................107 5.2.4 Babbacombe and St. Marychurch .....................................111 Policy SDT4 Babbacombe and St. Marychurch .............................111 5.3 PAIGNTON .......................................................111 5.3.1 Paignton Strategic Policy Area .......................................111 Policy SDP1 Paignton .................................................111 5.3.2 Paignton Town Centre and Seafront ...................................115 Policy SDP2 Paignton Town Centre and Seafront ...........................115 5.3.3 Paignton North and Western Area .....................................119 Policy SDP3 Paignton North and Western Area .............................119 5.3.4 Clennon Valley Leisure Hub .........................................124 Contents Policy SDP4 Clennon Valley Leisure Hub ..................................124 5.4 BRIXHAM ........................................................125 5.4.1 Brixham Strategic Policy Area ........................................125 Policy SDB1 Brixham Peninsula . 125 5.4.2 Brixham Town Centre, Harbour and Waterfront ..........................130 Policy SDB2 Brixham Town Centre, Harbour and Waterfront ..................130 5.4.3 Brixham Urban Fringe and AONB .....................................132 TORBAY LOCAL PLAN LOCAL TORBAY Policy SDB3 Brixham Urban Fringe and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty .....132 6. Policies for managing change and development in Torbay .....................136 6.1 Aspiration 1: Secure economic recovery and success ....................136 6.1.1 Town centres and retailing. 136 Policy TC1 Town centres . 136 Policy TC2 Torbay retail hierarchy .......................................138 Policy TC3 Retail development ..........................................140 Policy TC4 Change of retail use .........................................142 Policy TC5 Evening and night time economy ...............................143 6.1.2 Tourism, culture and marine economy .................................145 Policy TO1 Tourism, events and culture