Torbay currently has three neighbourhood plan areas, covering Torquay, Paignton and the Brixham Peninsula. The Brixham Peninsula currently covers the town of Brixham, and  the villages of Broadsands, Churston and Galmpton, and some surrounding areas.

We have received an application for a new Neighbourhood Area and Forum comprising the villages of Broadsands, Churston and Galmpton and surrounding areas. The proposed new Neighbourhood Area consists of all parts of the current Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan Area which are not within the administrative boundaries of Brixham Town Council.

If the application is agreed, a new Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum would be created covering Broadsands, Churston and Galmpton and surrounding areas. Brixham Town Council would remain the neighbourhood planning body for the Brixham Town Council administrative area. The website of the proposed new Forum and Neighbourhood Plan area is here  (please note that this is an independent website and the Council is not responsible for its contents). 

The main role of the Forum, if approved, would be to prepare a new Neighbourhood Plan covering the area. If approved and adopted it would replace the current Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted in 2019, in relation to the Churston, Galmpton and Broadsands areas.  Neighbourhood plans, along with the baywide Torbay Local Plan, are the legal starting point in determining planning applications.  Neighbourhood forums are also consultees on planning applications in their area.

Mike Morey Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture said: “Neighbourhood Planning is very important to us at Torbay Council and we are very grateful to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly in preparing the neighbourhood plans that were adopted in 2019. We note that the villages of Broadsands, Churston and Galmpton have formally asked to form a standalone forum which is separate to Brixham Town Council.  We are required by law to advertise these proposals, and we will carefully consider comments made. We aim to make a decision on the Forum and area application in November.”   

How to get involved

The Council is consulting on this application. The closing date for comments is Midday on Monday 18th October 2021. Details of the application and how to comment are set out here. 

Email responses should be sent to: future.planning@torbay.gov.uk