Planning permission in Torbay

In the last 12 months, 90.6% of home project applications were approved in Torbay (149 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about thirteen weeks (median 90 days).

Across all application types, 81.4% of 2,917 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Torbay's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

3,715Total applications

2,917Decided

81.4%Approval rate (of decided)

2,374 Approved+543 Refused+156 Withdrawn+296 Pending+346 Outcome not determined=3,715 Total

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Decision Level

3,657Delegated

51Committee

By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Protected tree works (TPO)	891	758	133	85.1%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	812	667	145	82.1%
Full planning applications	442	324	118	73.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	124	92	32	74.2%
Phone masts and telecoms	114	114	0	no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	105	80	25	76.2%
Listed Building Consent	100	86	14	86.0%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	97	85	12	87.6%
Prior approval (permitted development)	73	44	29	60.3%
Advertisement Consent	60	49	11	81.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	36	25	11	69.4%
Other*	63	50	13	mixed types

Phone masts and telecoms: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Tree works in a conservation area (13), Major Planning Application (7), Outline Planning (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Regulation 4 Application - Torbay (5), Telecommunications - Outside Cons. Area (5), Regulation 3 Application - Torbay (4), Permission In Principle (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (2), Demolition (2), Variation of S106 (2), Notification from National Grid (2), Temporary Holiday Site (2), Notification from Network Rail (1), Technical Details Consent (minor) (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	90	73	81.1%
Q4 2023	217	181	83.4%
Q1 2024	222	178	80.2%
Q2 2024	242	183	75.6%
Q3 2024	246	189	76.8%
Q4 2024	252	213	84.5%
Q1 2025	212	184	86.8%
Q2 2025	226	190	84.1%
Q3 2025	256	211	82.4%
Q4 2025	223	189	84.8%
Q1 2026	198	168	84.8%
Q2 2026	36	28	77.8%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	9	9	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 247 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 76.1% in Ellacombe to 85.8% in Shiphay, a gap of 9.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Wellswood	488	391	97	80.1%
Tormohun	346	278	68	80.3%
St Marychurch	239	197	42	82.4%
Cockington With Chelston	228	191	37	83.8%
Churston With Galmpton	194	158	36	81.4%
Preston	193	163	30	84.5%
Roundham With Hyde	178	142	36	79.8%
Furzeham With Summercombe	175	147	28	84.0%
St Peters With St Marys	163	139	24	85.3%
Barton With Watcombe	156	120	36	76.9%
Shiphay	141	121	20	85.8%
Ellacombe	117	89	28	76.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Torbay?

In the last 12 months, 90.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Torbay, based on 149 decided applications. Across all application types, 81.4% of 2,917 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Torbay?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Torbay in the last 12 months was 90 days (about thirteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Torbay?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Torbay?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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