How long do planning decisions take near Babbacombe?

The average planning decision time near Babbacombe is 50 days. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for minor applications and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate near Babbacombe?

The planning approval rate near Babbacombe is 44%. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

What types of planning applications are most common near Babbacombe?

The most common type of planning application near Babbacombe is tree works applications, with 13 submissions in the last 24 months.

How can I track planning applications near Babbacombe?

You can search and track planning applications near Babbacombe on Planning Signal. Create a free account to save searches, watch specific applications, and receive email alerts when new plans are submitted nearby.

Babbacombe, Devon Planning Applications

Recent planning applications near Babbacombe, Devon.

Devon · England · settlement

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About Babbacombe

Babbacombe, a charming district within Torquay, Devon, is known for its attractions including the Babbacombe Model Village and the Babbacombe Theatre. The scenic Babbacombe Downs provides stunning clifftop views and access to Oddicombe Beach via the Babbacombe Cliff Railway. Well-connected by frequent bus services to Torquay town centre and further afield, Babbacombe presents opportunities for planning applications focused on tourism and local infrastructure development.

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Town Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £251,124 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Torbay
Parliamentary constituency: Torbay
LSOA: Torbay 010A

Crime Statistics

169 crimes reported in 2026-03.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 88
anti-social-behaviour: 21
criminal-damage-arson: 20
other-theft: 14
public-order: 9
shoplifting: 5
other-crime: 5
theft-from-the-person: 2
vehicle-crime: 2
burglary: 1
drugs: 1
possession-of-weapons: 1

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings near Babbacombe.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications near Babbacombe.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Babbacombe based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Nearby Applications

11 planning applications found near Babbacombe.

- Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW
Justification for Felling T2 and T3 Pittosporum 1. Species Unsuitability for the Location Both T2 and T3 are Pittosporum, a species generally used as ornamental screening shrubs. They are not suitable
Status: Undecided | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2026-03-05
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- Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW
5 Day Notice - T1 (Pittosporum) - Has suffered structural failure with part of the crown having already fallen and now presents an immediate and unacceptable risk to site users and the adjacent public
Status: Permitted | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2026-03-03
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- Castle Court Cary Park Torquay TQ1 3NE
TRQY039- Birch Tree: to crown raise to 3m to allow for pedestrian access under crown
Status: Permitted | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2026-01-07
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- Headland View 37 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LN
Alterations including replacement roof to existing rear ground floor extension, replacement windows and doors.
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Torbay | Date: 2024-04-17
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- Lorrens Guestland Road Torquay TQ1 3NN
Change of Use from business use as a spa (Use Class E(d)) to residential use as a single dwelling (Use Class C3).
Status: Undecided | Type: Full | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-08-23
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- 12 Churchway Torquay TQ1 3NS
There is a large, mature Cherry Tree in the front garden. It is very overgrown and hanging over the gardens of both our neighbours (No 11 and 13). We would like to trim, and crown lift, the tree back
Status: Permitted | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-08-16
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- Flat 1 Holly House York Road Torquay TQ1 3SG
- T024 Ash dismantle because the tree is unlikely to remain a viable feature as it continues to degrade in health and condition. It has been risk assessed for falling deadwood and is within the ?toler
Status: Permitted | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-06-16
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- 56 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3SW
Change of Use from shop/Hair salon & holiday accommodation into 2 residential flats.
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-04-27
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- Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Witnesses St James Place Torquay TQ1 3LS
Variation of Conditions relating to P/2021/0235 (Conversion and part demolition of building to form two dwellings.) Condition: P1 Plans.
Status: Permitted | Type: Conditions | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-04-27
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- Torquay United Associated Football Club Warbro Road Torquay Torbay TQ1 3PS
Replacement and installation of telecoms apparatus, including: replacement of existing antennas with x 3 new antennas. Installation of microwave dish. installation of equipment within existing cabin.
Status: Undecided | Type: Telecoms | Council: Torbay | Date: 2023-02-22
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- Aveland Court Aveland Road Torquay TQ1 3PT
I am requesting removal under the notice of exemption on this split, dangerous, hung up robinea in the rear garden.
Status: Undecided | Type: Trees | Council: Torbay | Date: 2022-03-28
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A brief summary of Babbacombe in Devon

Property prices in Babbacombe show an average sale price of £251,124, based on 50 recent transactions recorded by HM Land Registry.

The Babbacombe area recorded 169 crimes in the most recent reporting period. As with any urban or suburban area, prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Babbacombe has 9 conservation areas within its boundaries: St Marychurch, Babbacombe Downs, Abbey Road, Cary Park, Upton, Torquay Harbour, Warberries, Lincombes, Belgravia. Planning applications within or near these conservation areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve the architectural and historic character of the area. Homeowners and developers should be aware that permitted development rights may be restricted.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The area around Babbacombe includes 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Babbacombe Cliffs SSSI, Hope's Nose to Wall's Hill SSSI, Kent's Cavern SSSI; 1 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC): Lyme Bay and Torbay. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Babbacombe planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.

Planning Activity in Babbacombe

In the last 24 months, 17 planning applications were submitted near Babbacombe. Of these, 44% were approved, with an average decision time of 50 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile near Babbacombe.

The average decision time of 50 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types near Babbacombe were tree works (13), full planning applications (3), amendments (1). The significant number of tree-related applications is typical for areas with mature tree cover or active tree preservation orders.

Nearby Towns

Explore planning applications in nearby areas:

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.