Home / Conservation areas / Torbay Council
South WestConservation areas in Torbay Council
24 conservation areas and 2 Article 4 directions on the official register. If your property is in one, extensions, lofts, cladding, outbuildings and demolition follow stricter rules.
Conservation areas
Abbey Road
Designated 1989 · ref. CA22
Rules & recordBabbacombe Downs
Designated 1982 · ref. CA04
Rules & recordBarton
Designated 1987 · ref. CA14
Rules & recordBelgravia
Designated 1988 · ref. CA16
Rules & recordBrixham Town
Designated 1971 · ref. CA12
Rules & recordCary Park
Designated 1987 · ref. CA15
Rules & recordChelston
Designated 1978 · ref. CA06
Rules & recordChurston
Designated 1970 · ref. CA10
Rules & recordCockington
Designated 2070 · ref. CA07
Rules & recordGalmpton
Designated 1989 · ref. CA18
Rules & recordHigher Brixham
Designated 1976 · ref. CA13
Rules & recordLincombes
Designated 1975 · ref. CA02
Rules & recordMaidencombe
Designated 1986 · ref. CA08
Rules & recordOld Paignton
Designated 1976 · ref. CA09
Rules & recordPolsham
Designated 2001 · ref. CA24
Rules & recordRoundham & Paignton Harbour
Designated 1985 · ref. CA11
Rules & recordShorton
Designated 1989 · ref. CA23
Rules & recordSt Marychurch
Designated 1980 · ref. CA03
Rules & recordTormohun
Designated 1989 · ref. CA20
Rules & recordTorquay Harbour
Designated 1975 · ref. CA05
Rules & recordTorre
Designated 1989 · ref. CA19
Rules & recordUpton
Designated 1989 · ref. CA21
Rules & recordWarberries
Designated 1975 · ref. CA01
Rules & recordWatcombe Park
Designated 1988 · ref. CA17
Rules & recordWhat a conservation area changes
Extensions
Side extensions, and rear extensions of more than one storey, are not permitted development — they need planning permission. Single-storey rear extensions keep their normal limits, but the Larger Home Extension prior-approval route is not available.
Lofts and roofs
Roof extensions such as dormers are not permitted development. Rooflights are usually fine if they don't project more than 15 cm.
Cladding
Cladding the outside of a house in stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles needs planning permission.
Outbuildings
Garden rooms, sheds and other outbuildings to the side of the house need planning permission.
Demolition
Demolishing a building larger than 115 m³ needs planning permission. Taking down a wall, gate or fence over 1 m high next to a road (or 2 m elsewhere) also needs permission.
Trees
You must give the council six weeks' notice before cutting down or pruning most trees (trunk over 7.5 cm across at 1.5 m high), even if they are not protected by a tree preservation order.
Article 4 directions
Councils can remove more permitted development rights — for example for windows, doors, porches or front boundaries — with an Article 4 direction. Check the council's list below.
Article 4 directions in Torbay Council
These remove some permitted development rights in the areas they cover — check whether one applies to your property before you rely on permitted development.
- Churston (10 April 2002)
- Polsham (10 April 2002)
Conservation area and Article 4 data: planning.data.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always confirm boundaries and rules with the council before starting work. General information, not legal advice.