Torbay's new Local plan document goes on show

An exciting, bold, positive, eye catching new plan that sets out the way Torbay might change and grow over the next 20 years is being launched by Torbay Council for a six-week period of public consultation.

From today until Friday 9 November people are being invited to comment on the draft Local Plan document, "A Landscape for Success."

Encouraging people to read the Plan and have their say, Cllr David Thomas, Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead for Strategic Planning, Housing and Energy, said: "We need to plan for a successful Torbay, where there are opportunities to improve the economy, provide good quality homes and enhance our beautiful environment.

"We need to be ambitious, otherwise we will fail to get the best for Torbay. Torbay deserves the best and we all have a part to play in providing that outcome."

The Plan sets out five aspirations:

* Economic recovery and success

* A better connected, accessible Torbay

* Protect and enhance a superb environment

* Make of the most of climate change

* More sustainable communities and better places.

Central to the Plan is Torbay's environment -- as the title suggests -- and its uniqueness. It also prioritises economic growth and new jobs for the Bay. That includes some innovative proposals to breathe new life and vitality into Torbay’s town centres, policies to secure 1.5 jobs per house, and promotion of investment into core tourism areas.

The Plan supports exciting new projects, including a new harbour extension for Torquay, the Northern Arm Breakwater at Brixham, expansion of primary schools, new sports facilities at Clennon Valley, a watersports centre of excellence and education, and employment space at West Paignton and North West Torquay to make the most of the benefits that the new South Devon Link Road will bring.

Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver said: "We live in an extraordinary place, during extraordinary times. Although it is difficult to predict the long term future with accuracy, we need a plan that gives us direction towards the outcomes we all want for Torbay. This plan focuses on those outcomes and, specifically, what we need to do over the next five years. It celebrates and protects Torbay’s unique strengths and helps unlock Torbay’s potential for economic success.

"This Local Plan responds to the extraordinary times we live in, sets out a series of aspirations for the Bay and provides clear direction on how those aspirations can be delivered.

"Critically it plays to the Bay’s unique strengths – its natural and built environmental qualities, its harbours, its people and its brand as the English Riviera.

"It does not shy away either from the challenges, for example ambitious economic recovery, improving skills and using local labour, urban renewal, and careful balancing of jobs and housing.

"If we give this Plan a chance, allow the ambition it expresses an opportunity to flourish, and give places, people and businesses a chance to change and grow, I am very confident that in five years time we will all see a much better Bay. That will give us the momentum we need to deliver even more over the following 15 years plus."

Cllr Alison Hernandez, Executive Lead for Involved and Healthy Communities, said: "Torbay Council believes in, and is committed to, community involvement in planning.

"We are taking a lead nationally on Neighbourhood Planning, having set up a Neighbourhood Planning Forum in each town to encourage even more community involvement in planning.

"No other unitary authority in the country is covering one hundred percent of its administrative area with Neighbourhood Plans and preparing a new Local Plan in tandem with those plans.

"This draft Local Plan has evolved with significant input from Torbay’s residents, businesses and communities. It would not have got this far without that input, and the council has listened to what people have said. It is important for people to continue to be involved."

The new Local Plan also has to respond to the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, namely:

* It supports, as a priority, the need to build a strong and competitive economy, supporting business growth, new jobs, more employment space for growing sectors

* It ensures that new or improved infrastructure, of all sorts, comes forward alongside or before major development

* It underlines the need for strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by providing sufficient housing, promoting urban renewal, enhanced and new local services and employment, leisure and recreation

* It puts Torbay’s environment at the heart of the Bay’s future success, recognising that it is an extraordinarily valuable asset in its own right, as an economic driver and supports unique biodiversity, geology and landscape.

People can find out more at www.torbay.gov.uk/newlocalplan

They can become involved by registering their details by phoning 01803 208804 or emailing strategic.planning@torbay.gov.uk

The council can also be contacted on Twitter www.twitter.com/torbay_council and Facebook www.facebook.com/torbaycouncil