Torbay Council and Torbay Culture at TDA have been shortlisted for RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2021. Both commissioned an independent heritage consultancy, Heritage Arts and People (HAP) to update the local area’s heritage strategy. The Judging Panel agreed to shortlist Torbay Heritage Strategy 2021-2026 in the category of ‘Excellence in Plan Making Practice’. The winners will be announced via a virtual ceremony in November.

The awards celebrate outstanding planners, plans and projects that demonstrate the power of planning in our regions. The awards highlight exceptional examples of how planning and planners have a positive impact on our quality of life in creating exceptional places and protecting our environment. The Awards champion the best examples of planning and planners in the South West.  They demonstrate the positive impact planning has on our quality of life and celebrate professional expertise. 

Torbay Council Cabinet formally adopted the Strategy in November 2020. Over 800 local people engaged in the process including more than two dozen organisations and partnerships including local museums, heritage organisations, National Trust and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. In shaping the strategy the Council worked closely with the two national lead bodies for heritage - Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The Strategy is in two parts, with the strategy in part one, and part two providing prioritisations themed around ‘Our Stories’ informed by the public consultation. The purpose of the new strategy is to clarify the Council’s approach to heritage, and to enable it to develop plans for specific locations.

Councillor Swithin Long, Cabinet Member, Economic Regeneration, Tourism & Housing, and Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member, Infrastructure, Environment & Culture said:

“Torbay Council is committed to culture and heritage being part of our future ambitions. These things matter to people in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, and the adoption of this new strategy and the forthcoming action planning - supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Torbay Culture - will play a valuable role in taking this forwards.”