Royal Town Planning Institute shortlist Torbay’s Heritage Strategy for award
Torbay’s Heritage Strategy is a finalist for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2021, in the category of Excellence in Plan Making Practice.
We are pleased because this recognises the collaborative approach and time taken to develop the strategy, which was at the heart of our thinking. Torbay’s Heritage Strategy and the subsequent implementation work was commissioned by Torbay Council in partnership with Torbay Culture at TDA, and delivered by Katherine Findlay from the Devon-based consultancy Heritage Arts and People.
Over 800 local people engaged in the process to develop the strategy, including individuals, staff and volunteers from heritage organisations, local museums, the National Trust, and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. In shaping the strategy, Torbay Council and Torbay Culture worked closely with the two national lead bodies for heritage - Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The follow up phase of work includes a recently published Heritage Interpretation Framework, and ongoing action-planning which was supported by the government Culture Recovery Fund award to Torbay Culture from the Heritage Fund.
Councillor Swithin Long, Cabinet Member, Economic Regeneration, Tourism & Housing, and Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member, Infrastructure, Environment & Culture said:
‘Torbay Council is committed to culture and heritage being part of our future ambitions. These things matter to people in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, and the adoption of this new strategy and the forthcoming action planning - supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Torbay Culture - will play a valuable role in taking this forwards.’
The Torbay Heritage Strategy includes objectives for managing and protecting heritage assets; it is a tool to involve and inspire key partners and stakeholders, attract visitors, support our economy, and respond to climate change, whilst recognising Torbay’s wide ranging internationally recognised heritage. It is in two parts, with the strategy in part one and an appendix providing prioritisation and themes informed by the consultation. The strategy clarifies Torbay Council’s approach to heritage, and enables it to develop plans for specific locations. It sets out statutory requirements (e.g. Listed Buildings, Conservation Area Appraisals, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and non-designated heritage assets); and is closely aligned with existing plans and strategies, including the Local Plan, English Riviera Destination Management Plan, and the Cultural Strategy ‘Enjoy, Talk, Do, Be’.
Decisions on the RTPI awards will be made during November. More details about the awards can be found on the RTPI website
More information about Torbay’s Heritage Strategy can be read here
