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Revised Guidance on the interpretation of planning policy on Principal Holiday Accommodation Areas (PHAAs).
Since the mid 1980s, Torbay Council has protected significant areas of hotels and guest houses, particularly through Principal Holiday Accommodation Areas (PHAAs). However the Torbay Tourism Strategy (adopted September 2009) indicated that changes within the tourism industry have resulted in a need to re-align policy.
The Torbay Tourism Strategy intends to reinvigorate Torbay as a major resort. It recommends a reduction in small and marginally located accommodation, particularly where this is not capable of being upgraded. It recommends promoting the best areas as Core Tourism Development Areas.
In the light of this, Revised Guidance on the interpretation of Local Plan Policy TU6 on PHAAs has been prepared. Following consultation in January-February 2010, the Revised Guidance was approved by Council as interim planning policy on 25th March 2010.
The Revised Guidance recommends the following:
- Allowing a reduction in the quantity of small and poorly located hotels, guest houses and holiday apartments particularly those which are not capable of being upgraded. This will be achieved through a more flexible interpretation of Policies TU6 in about 80% of PHAAs.
- Protection of the most important parts of PHAAs (about 20% of the area by number of hotels), as a means to encourage regeneration, and as a location for new, purpose built accommodation.
- A more flexible approach to holiday apartments outside of the Red “Core” Areas (see below) to allow full time or second home occupation
- Guidance on the testing of viability of holiday accommodation, in line with the adopted Planning Contributions and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance.
- Guidance on the conversion of holiday accommodation to self-contained family houses or reasonably sized apartments. Change of use to houses in multiple occupation will not be permitted, in accordance with Policy H7 of the Saved Adopted Torbay Local Plan.
- Proactive development management in dealing with planning applications to secure improvements to the built environment, such as the removal of unsightly features such as box dormers, porches etc.
- Proactive enforcement against activities and uses that detract from the character of tourist areas.
As noted the Guidance provides advice on the implementation of existing Local Plan Policy. In the medium term (by 2012) fully revised policies will be introduced through the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. In line with the Adopted Torbay Tourism Strategy, the Core Strategy will consider revising Principal Holiday Accommodations Areas to become Core Tourism Development Areas. These will have a wider remit for attracting regeneration investment and also cover some Mayor’s Vision sites where appropriate.
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Revised Guidance on Principal Holiday Accommodation Areas
The intention of this document is to bring PHAA policy in line with the Council’s Tourism Strategy and to take a more relaxed stance on the change of use of smaller and outdated accommodation to other uses
Last updated: 04/05/2010, 9:31am (4.5 MB)
Contact Strategic Planning
- Tel: 01803 208804
- Email: strategic.planning@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208882
