What we do at the local level
The Torbay Civic Society Committee regularly monitor the local Council’s public planning notices to watch for any changes that might effect the built heritage, open green spaces, parks or the environment.
Where there is a concern about some change of use, the demolition of a building or a new build that is seen as important in heritage terms to the area, the Committee will put their views before the Planning Committee in order that this can be taken into consideration at the time the Council makes any firm decision. Members of the Committee also meet with Planning Officers from time to time and will undertake site visits where this is deemed necessary. Obviously if the proposed planning issue is highly controversial, in addition to the above action the society will use the media to put forward its views to the general public.
Members of the Civic Society are regularly updated on any actions taken on their behalf by the Committee, firstly by direct information given at our Society events and secondly using the members’ Newsbrief publication which is issued two or three times a year. Sometimes, especially where public land is involved, the Committee will create a survey form for circulation to its members in order to get written confirmation of their opinion on any given subject.
In extreme cases where a planning decision is taken which seems to fly in the face of all that Torbay stands for, the Committee may take legal advice, use the Ombudsman or put in an official appeal for consideration by the local Planning Committee. In two instances during recent years the Committee have challenged Torbay Council on whether or not Covenants put in place by past benefactors can be over ridden without there being full consultation with the electorate. In these many ways the monitoring of planning matters form a crucial, if not a major, part of the formal activities of this Society.
Torquay
Bishops Court Hotel – formally Normount – Lower Warberry Road Torquay
Support the proposal
An application for Full Planning Permission has recently been approved for 27 new apartments and houses. We fully support this well considered scheme.The proposals include restoration of the Grade 2 Villa to produce new high quality spacious flats. Demolition of existing flats and hotel to ground level and reusing existing foundations to construct new low level highly insulated houses, whilst keeping most of the existing leisure facilities. We fully support this scheme, with mininal demolition, maximum re-cycling, green flat roofs with solar panels, minimal landscape disruption and maximum consideration for neighbours. Construction work has temporarily halted.
Brunel Manor, Teignmouth Road Torquay.
Support the proposal
Planning applications been received for major redevelopment of the Manor Building to provide 17 new apartments , together with work on the lodge and new-build to provide a further 18 dwellings and apartments. with car parking and landscaping. This application was unanimously approved.
Former Debenhams, The Strand Torquay
No Opinion
The previously Approved scheme is now determined as not viable. The Council are currently purchasing adjacent buildings in order to put forward a new scheme for accomodation & new hotel, New plans have been published for consultation, including a mix of 147-bed boutique hotel,apartments shops or restaurants.
Daleside Court , Lincombe Drive
Against the proposal
Application for demolition of existing house and new build of 8no apartments. Object on grounds of scale, height, massing and design materials.
Imperial Hotel Parkhill Road
Support the proposal
Application for Renovation of existing Hotel, Construction of Spa, 28 new Residential Apartments and 25 Apartments from existing bedroom wing. Together with associated Parking, Landscaping and Access improvements. This has now all been approved by the council.
Old HSBC BANK – 4 The Strand – Torquay
No Opinion
Planning application for conversion and new build with 5 residential apartments, requiring an additional 2-story new build. This application has been approved.
Old Toll House Torquay Esplanade
Support the proposal
Full Planning Permission was recently granted, after further improvements to the restoration of the Grade II Listed building were agreed. A two storey Cafe was permitted
Old Town Hall Abby Road Torquay
Support the Proposal
Application approved to convert the grade 11 listed building into 4 holiday rental apartments ,community space and ground floor commercial units.
Palace Hotel Babbacombe Road
Support the Proposal
Demolition has been completed, for construction of new 9- story 5*Hotel, together with 37 apartments/ houses. We await news of new proposals for the demolished Hotel site.
The Pavilion, Torquay Harbourside
Support the Proposal
Torbay Council have finally taken back the MDL lease and plan to commence comprehensive restoration shortly. Currently in the process of a one year duration structural survey is now complete. The council are now considering refurbishments and end use proposals .
Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay
Support the proposal
Seascape Hotel Tor Church Road Torquay
Support the Proposal
Application submitted for partial demolition & new build 29no one and two bedroom flats, with 5no car parking spaces and landscaping with creation of new footpath.
Site of former Sheddon Hall Hotel, Sheddon Hill
no opinion
An outline application has been approved for 25 apartments comprising of 2no. 6-story Blocks with car parking and landscaping.
Site of former Conway Court Hotel Warren Road
No Opinion
A new application has been approved for a 6 storey development of 14 apartments with underground parking on this long derelict site.
Singleton Gardens, Meadfoot Sea Road
Against the Proposal
An application has been received for construction of 7 new apartments, 2 attached dwellings and refurbishment of existing building, together with car parking and landscaping. The Application has been refused. A new application for an extension and refurbishments of the existing Gardeners Cottage has been approved. This Approval was given on the express condition that only the more recent extensions & modifications to the original Gardeners Cottage could be demolished. Recently, the applicant has sent on site men & machinery which have demolished the whole Cottage. The developer has applied for permission to re-instate the stone walling adjacent to its Lincombe Drive boundary. The council have issued an enforcement notice instructing the developer to re-instate the Gardeners Cottage to the extent that partial demolition was previously permitted, and the rear boundary wall as original, within an 18months. The developer appealed these notices but was refused. A revised planning application for 7 apartments gained a ‘minded to Approve’ decision, subject to the final decision of the Secretary of State for Housing and Communities.
Stoodley Knoll Estate
Support the Proposal
One of the largest remaining open green spaces left in Torquay which also includes the old Stoodley Knowle Convent school and chapel. A revised application has been made, reducing the height and number of dwellings.The project does not include a Care Home facility which was previously included in the plan. The listed chapel, which has a Blue Plaque from the Society, is not part of the demolition plans. Construction work has been delayed by a series of planning irregularities. A comprehensive Application to address planning breaches, including demolitions, alterations, extensions etc. and for 90 new dwellings has been unanimously approved.
Tor Marine (old South Devon College Site) Newton Road.
Support the Proposal
Application approved for a 6 storey block of 72 Extra Care apartments. This is similar to a previously approved application that was started and abandoned by Macarthy and Stone.
Old Torbay Magistrates Court – Higher Union Street – Torquay
Support the Proposal
A proposal for alteration and new build into 11 apartments, including an extra storey, with car parking has been given approval.
Union Square and Pannier Market redevelopment, Union Street Torquay.
Support the Proposal
Application has been Unanimously Approved for partial demolition, new build flats & commercial spaces, together with re-furbishment of the Grade II Listed Pannier Market. Proposals include construction of a 5-storey L-shaped block of 99 Flats together with a private triangular open space recreation area. A new green space public area at the junction with Market street. Multi-Storey Car Park to be retained, with the lower 2 storeys as commercial use, possibly an NHS Hub. The Listed Pannier Market is to be refurbished, both internally and externally, as a stand alone structure. Total Development Cost is approx. £84m.
Paignton
New Sea Defence Scheme – Paignton and Preston Waterfronts.
Support the proposal
Application approved for new major works Sea Defence Walls.The civil engineering works have now started, for a phased two and a half year duration.
The Blagdon Inn Collaton St Mary Paignton
Support the proposal
Application received to convert the ground floor into 5 new apartments ,together with upgrading the existing 2 first floor apartments.
Crossways Shopping Centre
Support the proposal
A Full Planning Application has been Approved for complete re-development of this redundant site. Comprising a 5-storey sheltered scheme of 11 flats, and a 7-storey extra-care scheme of 78 flats. Together with commercial, communal and associated open space. Demolition is now complete.The approved application is unviable & a new scheme is being designed. The land has been’ converted….into a temporary car- park. A revised scheme for 91 extra-care dwellings has been unanimously Approved
Inglewood Farm Brixham Road
No Opinion
Latest major housing application by developer Abacus Projects/Deeley Freed Estates covering a mixed use development, which includes 373 Houses, on 70 acres of land west of the A3022 Brixham Road at Goodrington. This planning application was unanimously rejected by the Committee on the 10th Feb, with the Committee agreeing with ALL the reasons as put forward by the Planning Officers. The developer appealed this decision to the planning inspectorate, the decision was reversed and has now been given the go ahead. Construction work has commenced on site.
Fernicombe Windmill, Windmill Lane, Preston, Paignton.
No Opinion
Fields off Preston DownRoad Preston
No Opinion
Application received for 100 dwellings on two green fields, formerly managed by TCCT. This is a mix of houses and 2/3 storey flats, including affordable housing. we note that this site is adjacent to a SSSI, SAC and a nature reserve. This application was approved with several special conditions.
Land on North side of Long Road, adjacent SDC Paignton
No Opinion
Application received for new Marks & Spencer single storey store with 136 car park and landscaping.
Off Totnes Road Collaton St Mary (Opp Parkers Arms)
No Opinion
Outline permission for 100 houses in fields opp Parkers Arms, was deferred by the planning committee – for further details and site visit to the proposed new junction with Totnes Road. A detailed planning application has now been approved
Oldway Estate – Mansion and Gardens
No Opinion
With the loss of Akkeron (a company we had consistently supported) a new working party has been set up by Torbay Council, on which we are represented. The challenge now is to find a new use for the Mansion and other buildings as well as allowing the public permanent access to the site which has always been an inherent condition of the original covenants. The public gardens and Oldway Mansion are formally listed by Heritage England and Torbay Council. The gardens are currently being maintained by volunteers and we have set up a fund to help support this work. Torbay Council have approved a 54m. Masterplan and have allocated £1.2m for external fabric renewal.A 3D survey is shortly to be completed and a £9 m Grant approved for roof repair and replacement has commenced.
Paignton Picture House
Support the Proposal
As one of the initial supporters to this new refurbishment scheme Society members have not only visited the Picture House but also supported the planning process and the grant scheme. The challenge now is for the remaining financial challenges to be met so that the project can be completed and the Picture House reopened in its former glory. £3m Grant Funding has been approved.
Redcliffe Hotel Marine Drive Paignton
Support the Proposal
A planning application has been approved for comprehensive alterations and improvements both internally and externally to this Grade 2 Listed building, including restoring its Indian influenced architectural features.
St Boniface Church – Disused
Belfield Road Foxhole.
Support the Proposal
Application Approved for complete demolition and new build 3-4 storey brick faced building for 25 over-55’s affordable flats, with 8 car parking spaces and landscaping.
Torbay Holiday Motel Totnes Rd Paignton
No Opinion
Demolition of existing buildings (But retaining No 2 Beechwood Court Buildings) and replace with 39 Houses.The proposal includes the construction of a main spine road, with new access junction to Totnes Road with right turn lane, to provide access for existing Mobile Home Park and new housing schemes on south side of Collaton St Mary. The Outline application was Approved.
Totnes Road Collaton St Mary
No Opinion
73 new dwellings by Taylor Wimpey had been turned down mainly on the question of inadequate drainage and sewage facilities of South West Water and access to Totnes Road.
The detailed Application was Approved, following re-submission with detailed drainage reports and road junction/pedestrian details. Construction works are now well underway
Victoria Square and Car Park Paignton
No Opinion
This area is currenly being demolished in its entirety. We await proposals for it’s re-development.
Waddeton Close, Off Long Road, Paignton
Construction of 60 new dwellings & an industrial unit. This is a brown field site behind the ERIC & Harvester buildings Outline permission has been granted.
No Opinion
Brixham
Land off St. Marys Road, Brixham
No Opinion
Demolition of existing industrial buildings and construction of 28 new dwellings ( With 6 affordable) together with parking and landscaping. The application was unanimously refused
Land off Mathill Road, Monksbridge, Brixham.
Against the Proposal
Outline application for construction of up to 175 new dwellings with commercial area, amenity area and carparking. This green field area application is contrary to the Local Plan, the Development Plan and is within a protected landscape.
Land off Copythorne Road
Against the Proposal
Outline Application forErection of up to 77 new dwellings (with 35% affordable). This is actually within an AONB of wildlife diversity, access/egress highway visibility problems. Against both Local and Neighbourhood Plans. The application was unanimously refused. The applicant has successfully Appealed this decision to the Planning Inspectorate
Prouts Garage (Gliddons), Churston, Brixham Road
No Opinion
Outline Application approved for demolition of existing garage and construction of 9 new houses.
Land at Brokenbury Farm, Churston, off Brixham Road
Support the Proposal
Application for a new Solar Panel Array. This land is owned by the TBC and adjacent to the SWWA Pumping Station. Originally deferred for further information and repositioning, this application has now been approved.
Premier Marina Company at Noss – Kingswear
Support the Proposal
This major application is supported by the Society who have been working closely with South Devon College concerning its new proposed Marine Academy which is an integral part of the overall project. The new Academy for apprentices will be phase 1 of the project following which will be a new waterside hotel, an expansion of berths and a new berth stack plus on site services for boat owners including a major lifting service. Eventually there will be new houses created at the rear of the site. Plans have been submitted to South Hams District Council and with these plans having been passed a new access bridge has already been completed. Demolition of many of the outbuildings has now been completed and a new carpark has been established. Construction work well underway with the College Marine Academy and a few Units completed.
Shoalstone Pool, Berry Head Road, Brixham
Support the Proposal
Application to construct 21 new beach huts, with seating improvements above and to side of Shoals Cafe. This application has been approved.
St Kilda Nursing Home (Disused)
Support the Proposal
A planning application was recently approved for the demolition of the existing building and a similar sized replacement of Twenty Three units for later living usage. The roadside grade 11 listed buildings to be refurbished and sold separately . Construction work has commenced.
Upton Manor Farm, off St Mary’s Road, Brixham
Against the Proposal
Application received for 133 Residential Houses on a green field site of farmland. Hundreds of objections have been received and it is contrary to the Neighbourhood plan.
This application has been Unanimously Refused
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