Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan 2025 Online Version and Consultation

Support

Representation ID: 813

Received: 02/02/2026

Respondent: Avison Young

The important role South Devon College plays in providing education and support to advance skills in the hi-tech sector, knowledge-based economy, education and healthcare is noted within the draft Local Plan (at pages 106 and 108) and this is supported.

Support

Representation ID: 815

Received: 02/02/2026

Respondent: Avison Young

Strategic Policy SS1: Torbay Growth Strategy relies heavily on the regeneration of brownfield sites and other urban areas to maximise development opportunities, particularly within the larger towns of Torquay and Paignton. The policy targets at least 8,000 new dwellings over the Plan period of 2025-2045, equal to an average of around 400 dwellings a year over a 20-year Plan period. This is below the government’s Local Housing Needs target (of 950 dwellings a year). The supporting text to Policy SS1 sets out that the housing target within the plan seeks to maximise the delivery of homes within Torbay’s significant environmental and infrastructure limits, and a high level of constraint. Policy SS1 also sets out a target of at least 80,000 sq. m of Class E(g)/B2/B8 net employment space over the Plan period, equal to at least 20ha.

As set out above, the housing target proposed within the emerging Local Plan is significantly lower (more than 50%) than the government’s Local Housing Needs target. This will no doubt be subject to considerable interrogation through the Examination in Public of the Local Plan. Notwithstanding this, given the clear and pressing housing need, severe and deteriorating housing affordability and a serious shortfall in the provision of affordable homes within South Devon and nationally, this only emphasises the importance of maximising opportunities to develop land appropriate for development within Torquay and Paignton, as the identified main growth areas. In this context, the Top Field and the former Syntech site (and their associated capacity for housing and employment development) should be factored into the proposals for the planned development to the west of Paignton.

Strategic Policy SDP5: Long Road, Yalberton allocates land to the west of South Devon College and south of Berry Acres as a Future Growth Area delivering a mix of new homes and employment land and proposes to designate Devonshire Park retail centre as a District Centre. The broad location of this Future Growth Area is shown on the Key Diagram and Policies Map. However, it is considered that the Key Diagram and Policies Map are far from clear in identifying the proposed allocation for the Future Growth Area and a clearer plan should be prepared in the next stage of the plan-making process.

Immediately to the east of SDC’s Vantage Point campus is the location of the planned retail store (M&S) (reference P/2025/0782) and existing retail provision at Devonshire Park (The Range, Pets at Home). To the north east, east, and south east, major residential development has recently been constructed or is under development. To the immediate south of Long Road is a mix of commercial businesses and the SDC Sports Centre. To the immediate west of SDC is Westfield Business Park, with the land beyond forming part of the Future Growth Area to accommodate residential and employment development.

SDC supports the identification of land to the west of Paignton as a Future Growth Area and the identification of Devonshire Park as a District Centre. This reflects the recent and continued development in the vicinity of the Vantage Point campus, with the mixed and varied land uses surrounding the campus. In this context, it is considered that the redevelopment of the former Syntech site identified above should be expressly included within the anticipated development outlined within Strategic Policy SDP5. This land is currently underutilised as at-grade parking. Given the existing varied land uses along Long Road and the site’s location within a planned Future Growth Area, it is considered that this land could appropriately be redeveloped for a range of residential or commercial uses (including retail use).

Similarly, the Top Field should be expressly included within the planned development detailed within Strategic Policy SDP5. While the site comprises a playing field, it is no longer in use. The field is not open to the public and is not flood lit. In 2017 Reserved Matters Approval P/2016/0188 was granted (following planning permission P/2011/0197) for the delivery of a new Sports Centre, including an all-weather 3G pitch and indoor court facilities just to the south of the main Vantage Point campus. This now comprises the focal point of sports provision at SDC. The Top Field is now surplus to requirements. The supporting text to Strategic Policy SDP5 sets out that detailed proposals for the area will come forward through a new Masterplan for the area. It is considered that as part of the masterplanning process, reprovision of the open space/pitch provision could be identified in a less constrained location further to the west as part of the planned wider development. Subject to resolution of an appropriate drainage strategy and a masterplan addressing green infrastructure, open space provision and protected species, the Top Field is considered appropriate for residential development.
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Support

Representation ID: 816

Received: 02/02/2026

Respondent: Avison Young

With respect to Policy TA1: Reducing the impact of transport and promoting sustainable travel and Policy TA2: Effective and inclusive transport system, whilst we support further residential development to the west of the Vantage Point campus which is carefully planned and appropriate, we must raise significant concerns regarding the adequacy of existing transport and highway infrastructure serving the College and the wider Long Road corridor. Current congestion already impacts safe and efficient access for students, staff, and visitors, especially at peak times, and these issues are anticipated to intensify with further residential development to the west of the campus being brought forward.

SDC strongly recommends that the Local Plan includes clear commitments to deliver sustainable transport improvements, including direct links to the SDC campus(es) from the new developments which should include:

- Enhanced public transport provision with increased bus service frequency and improved integration with rail services especially to Paignton.
- Investment in active travel infrastructure with segregated cycle lanes, safe pedestrian routes, and secure cycle facilities.
- Targeted highway improvements such as junction upgrades and measures to manage traffic flow and improve capacity.
- Additional sustainable travel measures such as park-and-ride facilities, electric vehicle charging points, and support for car-sharing schemes.
- Developer contributions to fund transport upgrades linked to planned growth, especially noting the ‘green field’ nature of the sites proposed for development.

Without such interventions, the cumulative impact of planned development will compromise accessibility, safety, and the ability to promote sustainable travel choices, contrary to the objectives of the Local Plan and national planning policy.

Support

Representation ID: 817

Received: 02/02/2026

Respondent: Avison Young

Strategic Policy SC3: Education infrastructure and inclusive learning strategy makes clear that the ongoing needs of South Devon College will be supported. As with the reference to the key objective discussed above, this policy relates principally to the expansion of schools. There should be express acknowledgment of opportunities to dispose of surplus assets and make effective use of land, to generate revenue to reinvest in campus facilities.