Torquay and Paignton masterplans undergoing public consultation.

Torbay Council is seeking comments on masterplans that will play a key role in shaping and delivering development in areas of Torquay and Paignton.

Four draft masterplans cover Torquay Town Centre, Paignton Town Centre, Torquay Gateway (Edginswell) and Collaton St. Mary.

The two town centre masterplans focus on the regeneration of Torquay and Paignton, identifying sites for major development. They also provide solutions for how the wider environment could be improved.

The remaining two masterplans are looking at ‘place-making’. These plans outline how Collaton St. Mary (West Paignton) and Edginswell (Torquay Gateway) can support housing and economic growth in ways that maximise benefits for the community.

Once the consultation period has ended, the masterplans will be finalised and will take account of the views expressed by the public before being formally adopted by the council as Supplementary Planning Documents.

The masterplans are closely related to the council’s new Local Plan and have been produced with an emphasis on community consultation, workshops and events involving businesses, neighbourhood forums and local residents.

The Local Plan sets the overarching policy and strategy for the whole of Torbay. Neighbourhood Plans are being produced by communities in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham to add more detail to the Local Plan.

Masterplanning, working to this direction and context, provides detail for the design and delivery of individual projects – illustrating what development could look like.

The Torquay Gateway plan shows how new jobs, homes, transport schemes, including a new train station at Edginswell and improvements on Riviera Way and at Gallows Gate, a school and green spaces will integrate into the area. The Torquay and Paignton town centre plans show which sites can successfully contribute to regeneration and how that development could be delivered.

Mayor Gordon Oliver said, “These masterplans look to make the most of the jewels in Torquay and Paignton’s crowns.

“Investment in, and sensitive regeneration, of our town centres and harbour areas is crucial so that they can be vibrant, economically successful places which our residents can be proud of and visitors find irresistible. These plans are responding to the aspirations of the council and community and will support and drive continued inward investment into the Bay.”

Cllr David Thomas, Executive Lead for Strategic Planning, Housing, Energy and Environmental Policy said: “Successful masterplanning is the key to creating great places. The extensive engagement with the public and stakeholders during the last six months has really shaped these documents. This is now a formal chance for the public to have their say on the final draft masterplans. Once completed, these documents will show what the high quality development should be like, which will help turn ambition into reality.”

The masterplans can be viewed on the council’s website at www.torbay.gov.uk/masterplans or via Torbay Libraries and Connections offices during normal opening hours. Comments should be made by e-mailing strategic.planning@torbay.gov.uk or in writing to Spatial Planning, Torbay Council, Electric House (Second Floor), Torquay TQ1 3DR.

There will be some hearing sessions, which are a formal opportunity for people who commented on the previous stage of the local plan to express their views verbally to the governments appointed planning inspector, who presides over the examination of this important document. The Torbay Local Plan examination will take place over four days from the 18-25November, beginning on Tuesday 18 November.

The venue has changed from the Torquay Town Hall to the following location: Grace Murrell Suite, Riviera International Conference Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ. The public are able to observe these sessions. The council hopes to adopt the new Local Plan, which sets the context for Neighbourhood Plans and Masterplanning in the Spring of 2015. Further details of the hearing sessions can be seen on the Council’s website at www.torbay.gov.uk/localplanexamination