Brixham Conservation Area Survey

Have your say on the proposed Brixham Conservation Area 

We have launched a consultation on the Brixham Town Conservation Area, as part of the wider Torbay Heritage Strategy.

Torbay’s conservation areas are being reviewed and we need your help to best understand, protect and enhance them.

Torbay Council, working in partnership with Purcell, are undertaking a review and update of the Brixham Town Conservation Area Appraisal as part of a larger project funded by the Heritage Places partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to fully review conservation area appraisals in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.

The Council recently entered into the new 10-year partnership with the Heritage Fund to support heritage within the Bay and to deliver the aims of the Torbay Heritage Strategy which includes the updating of our existing conservation area appraisals, specifically those related to the Brixham Town, Paignton Old Town and Torquay Harbour Conservation Areas.

The boundary of the Brixham Town Conservation Area was last considered in 2016. Following a review of the area in 2024, we are now inviting feedback on proposed changes to the boundary of the conservation area over the next 5 weeks.

Councils are required through the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to undertake and publish assessments of conservation areas, known as appraisals, from time and time and consult with the public on the proposed changes.

Conservation Areas are defined as “areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. They are designed to help protect the characteristics of a specific area, including their architectural and historic interests, which make them a distinctive and unique place.

Boundary changes are proposed in some areas of the Brixham Town Conservation Area to account for unmanaged incremental changes which have, over time, diluted the character of an area; or to include areas of architectural and historic interest of the area.

The review recommends the following boundary changes:

Inclusions:

A. Furzeham Primary and Nursery School

B. Terraced properties at North Furzeham Road, Higher Furzeham Road, Bella Vista Road, Alma Road and Holborn Road

Exclusions:

C. Development to the south of Bolton Street

D. Terraced properties on Garlic Rea, Rea House and south side of Elkins Hill

E. Battery Gardens, Oxen Cove, Northern Quay and environs

Further information on the proposed boundary changes and maps of the relevant areas can be found within the Brixham Town Conservation Area Appraisal Boundary Review Consultation Document.

As well as recognising the special architectural and historic interest of the town, conservation area designation also brings some additional planning controls which help to guard against inappropriate work, such as rules covering demolition, development, advertising and tree protection. Find out more about conservation areas. 

The consultation period will run from 12 December 2024 to 16 January 2025 with comments to be made via the online survey:

Alternatively, comments can be made via email to conservation@torbay.gov.uk, by drop off to Brixham Library or by post to Heritage and Design Team, Planning Department, Torbay Council, Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay TQ1 3DR. Print copies of the survey are also available at Brixham Library and Brixham Town Council offices.

All comments received will be taken into account when considering whether to make any changes or revisions to the boundary of the Brixham Town Conservation Area before the updated document goes to full public consultation in the Spring of 2025.