Strategic Landscape Study

We have appointed Stephenson Halliday Limited to carry out a Strategic Landscape Study for Torbay.  This will provide a comprehensive analysis of Torbay's:

• rural landscape and seascape features
• value
• characteristics

This needs to be done provide robust landscape evidence to support the Local Plan Update. The Study will include:

• A review the existing Landscape Character Assessment evidence base. This was carried out in 2010. It was slightly revised through a commission of DCC and the Devon Landscape Policy Group in 2014.

• A Landscape Sensitivity Assessment (LSA) of potential local plan growth areas. This will include scope for renewable energy.

• A review of local urban landscape designations included in the current Local Plan (Urban Landscape Protection Areas ‘ULPAs’) and Neighbourhood Plans (Local Green Spaces LGS and ‘Open Spaces’) in terms of their landscape qualities.   

• An assessment of potential locally valued landscapes. 

Stephenson Halliday have prepared an on-line stakeholder consultation.  This will gather views about the nature of Torbay’s landscape, and the pressures it faces. This will be both at a broad, area level, and also a more focused level.  It will seek to understand how people ‘value’ rural and urban landscapes. This is based on things like:

• scenic qualities
• key views
• recreation
• historic or cultural associations
• tranquility etc

It will look at how these may be changing due to:

• development pressures
• climate change
• coastal and nature management strategies etc.

Please note this consultation is being carried out to help prepare background evidence to support the Local Plan. The feedback from the consultation will assist the consultant’s in their review of the landscape character.  It does not replace formal consultation on the Local Plan, which will take place in 2025.