Planning in Torbay
Torbay Council has 24 conservation areas and 2 Article 4 direction areas on the national planning data platform, plus 1,220 listed building outlines.
Conservation areas
24
Article 4 directions
2
Listed building outlines
1,220
Planning applications
–
not published yet
Check what you can build — with AI
Planium reads the conservation area appraisal, Article 4 directions and local plan policies for Torbay and tells you whether your extension, loft conversion or change of use needs planning permission.
Conservation areas
- Abbey Roaddesignated 7 March 1989
- Babbacombe Downsdesignated 17 November 1982
- Bartondesignated 21 January 1987
- Belgraviadesignated 25 July 1988
- Brixham Towndesignated 24 August 1971
- Cary Parkdesignated 27 April 1987
- Chelstondesignated 30 September 1978
- Churstondesignated 22 March 1970
- Cockingtondesignated 10 December 2070
- Galmptondesignated 7 March 1989
- Higher Brixhamdesignated 23 March 1976
- Lincombesdesignated 28 January 1975
- Maidencombedesignated 26 May 1986
- Old Paigntondesignated 27 May 1976
- Polshamdesignated 7 January 2001
- Roundham & Paignton Harbourdesignated 14 October 1985
- Shortondesignated 24 July 1989
- St Marychurchdesignated 28 April 1980
- Tormohundesignated 7 March 1989
- Torquay Harbourdesignated 11 March 1975
- Torredesignated 7 March 1989
- Uptondesignated 7 March 1989
- Warberriesdesignated 28 January 1975
- Watcombe Parkdesignated 25 July 1988
Article 4 directions
- Churston10 April 2002
- Polsham10 April 2002
Frequently asked questions
Is my property in a conservation area in Torbay?
Torbay Council has designated 24 conservation areas, listed on this page with their designation dates and appraisal documents where the council publishes them. In a conservation area, permitted development rights are narrower: cladding, some extensions, roof alterations and satellite dishes on the front elevation may need planning permission, and demolition of most buildings needs consent.
What is an Article 4 direction?
An Article 4 direction removes specific permitted development rights in a defined area, so work that would normally not need planning permission — for example replacing windows, changing a house into a small HMO or altering front boundaries — does need an application. Torbay has 2 Article 4 direction areas recorded on planning.data.gov.uk.
How do I check what I am allowed to build?
Start with the designations on the site (conservation area, Article 4, listed building), then the local plan policies and any design codes. Planium can read the council’s appraisal and policy documents and summarise what applies to your project, including whether permitted development is available.
Torbay Council website · All local planning authorities
Source: planning.data.gov.uk (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Open Government Licence v3.0) · Retrieved 2026-10-09