Residents in Wellswood, Devon, are questioning new housing targets in the Torbay Council draft local plan that could see 950 new homes built every year across the area. The local community is currently discussing how these targets might change the character of their neighbourhood, following a public consultation period that was recently extended to February 2, 2026.
The council plan covers the years from 2025 to 2045 and is being developed to meet a binding requirement from the UK Government. Neighbours have used community platforms to raise concerns about the pressure these targets place on local green spaces, traffic, and the historic feel of the local conservation area.
One major point of discussion is the former Palace Hotel site, where the developer has decided to build luxury homes instead of a five-star hotel. The developer, known as the Fragrance Group, shifted to the residential project because the original hotel plan was no longer financially viable, leading to a new proposal for homes known as Palace Gardens.
Local councillor Hazel Foster is leading calls to protect heritage sites and conservation areas from being used for these new developments. Members of the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum and the Wellswood Community Partnership are also advocating for the neighbourhood’s unique character to be preserved as the council reviews the feedback from residents.
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