Have your say on improvements to Torquay Town Centre

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Consultation has concluded and the results are being fed back and included in the next steps

Concept 1 - plan view

This consultation has ended and results are being analysed.

We want your help in designing a space that better links Torquay town centre.

The area we are looking at is the space between Union Street and Fleet Street, more commonly known to some people as the GPO roundabout.

The current layout disconnects the two main shopping areas and 'bookends' the high street. It is not very encouraging to pedestrians to flow through the town centre and is mainly used as a taxi waiting area.

By investing in and improving this area, we can:

  • Open the space between Union Street and Fleet Street - better linking the town centre with the harbour.
  • Create a high-quality public space that builds on the enhancements already made to Union Street and Fleet Street, where people enjoy spending their time.
  • Create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly space.
  • Incorporate art, culture and events for our residents and communities to enjoy as well as supporting our visitor offer, as we aim to be the premier tourist resort in the UK.

Through this consultation we want to know how you currently use this area of the town centre. We also want to hear your views on what could make the space more inviting, user friendly and sustainable.

Your views and feedback will help to shape the future look and feel of this part of Torquay town centre.

To help you think about how this space could be used, there are some concept ideas being put forward. These are not the final designs, they are simply to help you, and us shape any future designs and to give you an idea of what the space could look like. 

Concept Idea 1

  • The idea here is to keep the existing trees and introduce wildflowers and other species of trees and plants.
  • New integrated and stand-alone seating is to encourage you to linger amongst the new tree planting. A Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) will surround the centre of the site. (Find out more about SuDs under the FAQs header on the right hand side of the page).
  • The SuDS and additional planting will provide a sense of enclosure to this area as well as reinforcing where vehicles will use.
  • This idea though offers little flexibility on how the space can be used in the future for events and activities.

Concept 1 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page. Concept Idea 2 

  • This one looks to keep the existing trees and introduce wildflowers and other species of trees and planting.
  • There could be raised planters and seating which will create a number of smaller meeting spaces. Space also available for temporary art installations or pop-up events such as markets.
  • This idea offers those who use the space the opportunity to enjoy smaller spaces in amongst the trees and planting.
Concept 2 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.

 Concept Idea 3

  • This idea looks to create a larger, more flexible space which fully links with Union Street.
  • The existing Birch trees will be retained in a new structure with seating, additional tree planting and an outer SuDS - creating a barrier between the main pedestrian space and traffic flow.
  • The space opens for connection to Fleet Street, activities and larger temporary art installations or pop-up events.
    Concept 3 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.


 Concept Idea 4 
  • This idea removes all the existing trees and planting to create a larger and more meaningful event and activity space.
  • Seating on the outer edge allows users to pause, meet others and socialise or be spectators to events.
  • The outer edge is sheltered and defined by new trees and planting and a SuDS.
  • This idea shows an 'area style' layout, but also encourages pedestrians to flow through to other shopping areas.
    Concept 4 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.


 Concept Idea 5

  • This idea removes all the existing trees and planting to make way for extensive urban tree planting. This will create a 'Plaza' style space.
  • Seating remains simple with sufficient space for art installations and pop-up events.
  • A large, raised tree and wildflower planting area will provide an amphitheatre style seating space.
Concept 5 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.

Have your say 

Once you have taken a look at each of the concept ideas, please take part in our survey below. We want to understand how you currently use the space and what things are important for you so we can consider this as part of the design process. We also want to know if you prefer any one of these concept ideas.

Keep updated about what's happening in Torquay

Stay up to date with this project and other regeneration projects happening in Torquay by signing up to our Torquay Projects newsletter.




This consultation has ended and results are being analysed.

We want your help in designing a space that better links Torquay town centre.

The area we are looking at is the space between Union Street and Fleet Street, more commonly known to some people as the GPO roundabout.

The current layout disconnects the two main shopping areas and 'bookends' the high street. It is not very encouraging to pedestrians to flow through the town centre and is mainly used as a taxi waiting area.

By investing in and improving this area, we can:

  • Open the space between Union Street and Fleet Street - better linking the town centre with the harbour.
  • Create a high-quality public space that builds on the enhancements already made to Union Street and Fleet Street, where people enjoy spending their time.
  • Create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly space.
  • Incorporate art, culture and events for our residents and communities to enjoy as well as supporting our visitor offer, as we aim to be the premier tourist resort in the UK.

Through this consultation we want to know how you currently use this area of the town centre. We also want to hear your views on what could make the space more inviting, user friendly and sustainable.

Your views and feedback will help to shape the future look and feel of this part of Torquay town centre.

To help you think about how this space could be used, there are some concept ideas being put forward. These are not the final designs, they are simply to help you, and us shape any future designs and to give you an idea of what the space could look like. 

Concept Idea 1

  • The idea here is to keep the existing trees and introduce wildflowers and other species of trees and plants.
  • New integrated and stand-alone seating is to encourage you to linger amongst the new tree planting. A Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) will surround the centre of the site. (Find out more about SuDs under the FAQs header on the right hand side of the page).
  • The SuDS and additional planting will provide a sense of enclosure to this area as well as reinforcing where vehicles will use.
  • This idea though offers little flexibility on how the space can be used in the future for events and activities.

Concept 1 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page. Concept Idea 2 

  • This one looks to keep the existing trees and introduce wildflowers and other species of trees and planting.
  • There could be raised planters and seating which will create a number of smaller meeting spaces. Space also available for temporary art installations or pop-up events such as markets.
  • This idea offers those who use the space the opportunity to enjoy smaller spaces in amongst the trees and planting.
Concept 2 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.

 Concept Idea 3

  • This idea looks to create a larger, more flexible space which fully links with Union Street.
  • The existing Birch trees will be retained in a new structure with seating, additional tree planting and an outer SuDS - creating a barrier between the main pedestrian space and traffic flow.
  • The space opens for connection to Fleet Street, activities and larger temporary art installations or pop-up events.
    Concept 3 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.


 Concept Idea 4 
  • This idea removes all the existing trees and planting to create a larger and more meaningful event and activity space.
  • Seating on the outer edge allows users to pause, meet others and socialise or be spectators to events.
  • The outer edge is sheltered and defined by new trees and planting and a SuDS.
  • This idea shows an 'area style' layout, but also encourages pedestrians to flow through to other shopping areas.
    Concept 4 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.


 Concept Idea 5

  • This idea removes all the existing trees and planting to make way for extensive urban tree planting. This will create a 'Plaza' style space.
  • Seating remains simple with sufficient space for art installations and pop-up events.
  • A large, raised tree and wildflower planting area will provide an amphitheatre style seating space.
Concept 5 - plan view. A PDF version of this concept, along with further information is available on the right hand side of this page.

Have your say 

Once you have taken a look at each of the concept ideas, please take part in our survey below. We want to understand how you currently use the space and what things are important for you so we can consider this as part of the design process. We also want to know if you prefer any one of these concept ideas.

Keep updated about what's happening in Torquay

Stay up to date with this project and other regeneration projects happening in Torquay by signing up to our Torquay Projects newsletter.