Architecture and Masterplanning in Torquay

Sites we take on near Torquay

In Devon, Torquay lies about 28 miles east of Plymouth; its central postcode district is TQ2. Close by, our coverage also takes in Paignton, Newton Abbot and Exmouth. Torquay is in the South West region of England.

Near Torquay, we look at land where self-build plots could suit the market, sites where the layout needs to change and fields that need a masterplan before an application. Because Torquay is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Tell us about the site near Torquay and we will explain how we would take it forward.

What we offer in Torquay

Drainage and ecology built in

Sustainable drainage, biodiversity and tree retention shape the layout from the first sketch, rather than being squeezed in after the homes are placed.

House types that suit the place

Homes designed to reflect local materials, scale and character, with layouts people want to live in, rather than a standard pattern book dropped onto the site.

Design codes followed

Where a council has adopted a design code or design guide, we design to it and explain in the design statement how the scheme responds.

Buildability checked

We test every scheme for construction cost and practicality, so the consent we seek is for homes that can actually be built and then sold or let.

The English system, as it applies in Torquay

Selling development land in Torquay usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.

In England, the National Planning Policy Framework places strong weight on well-designed places, and the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code shape what councils expect. Many councils have adopted local design codes. Most applications must also deliver biodiversity net gain, which affects how much of a site is set aside for habitat.

Key rules in Torquay
National planning policy	National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance
Who decides applications	The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority)
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)	Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Developer contributions	Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Common questions in Torquay

Do new housing schemes need sustainable drainage?

In most cases, yes. National and local policy usually expects new developments to manage rainwater sustainably, for example with swales, ponds and permeable paving. In Wales, most new developments need separate approval from the local SuDS approving body. We design drainage into the layout from the start, because it can take up a real share of the site.

What is a design and access statement?

It is a short report submitted with certain planning applications that explains the design principles behind a scheme and how people will get to and move around it. In England and Wales it is usually needed for major development and for some smaller schemes in sensitive areas. Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own requirements for design statements.

What is a masterplan?

A masterplan is a drawing and supporting document that shows how a larger site will be laid out: where the homes, roads, footpaths, open space and drainage go, and how the site will be built in phases. It gives the council and the community a clear picture of the scheme before detailed designs are prepared for each phase.

How do you make new homes fit in with existing streets?

We study the scale, materials, building lines and spaces of the surrounding area and design homes and streets that respond to them. On a village edge that might mean lower density and more landscaping; in a town, homes that follow the existing street pattern. Early talks with planning officers and neighbours help shape the design.

Do you take on planning and building work in Torquay?

Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Torquay and elsewhere in Devon, including Exmouth, Plymstock and Bideford. We do not take on planning or building work for third parties as a consultancy.