Torbay Council’s Spatial Planning Team is performing above government standards for making decisions on major planning applications.

The latest Spatial Planning Performance Report, which covers the last two years, shows that 85% of all major planning applications and 65% of smaller applications are dealt with within 13 weeks and 8 weeks respectively.

The report also shows that 85% of major development proposals are approved along with 90% of smaller applications. The council has also won 97.5% of appeals for major development and 68% of appeals for smaller developments.

Over the past two years Torbay Council has also made great progress on a new Local Plan, paving the way for investment, development and environmental enhancement for the next 20 years. The Local Plan has also provided context for the three emerging Neighbourhood Plans. Four masterplans for Torquay and Paignton have also been introduced for the Town Centres, Torquay Gateway and Collaton St Mary.

Pat Steward, Torbay Council’s Head of Planning and Transport, said: “These results are testament to the huge amount of hard work done by members, officers and applicants, at a time of significant change within the council. The Spatial Planning team takes a very positive, proactive approach to getting high quality development, in the right place, at the right time, with the right outcomes for Torbay’s communities. But we’re not complacent. We can get better and have plans in place to do so.”

Examples of the high quality decisions made by the Council include the award winning Abbey Sands development, the South West Energy Centre at South Devon College; the 140, low energy new homes at Beechfield, Torquay – which won a national award for best starter homes. There is also the sensitive high quality conversion of Churston Court Barns and the stunning tourism development at The Arboretum in Blagdon.

Approval has also been given to up and coming developments including the redevelopment of Wall Park, Brixham; a new hotel, offices and restaurants at Torwood Street; a new main entrance and critical care unit at Torbay Hospital; new homes, employment space and bulky goods retail at the former Bookhams site and a villa style redevelopment of the former Lansdowne Hotel, Torquay.

To read the full Spatial Planning Performance Report visit:

www.torbay.gov.uk/planningnews