Plans have been submitted to transform Rockwood Lodge in Torquay, with proposals to refurbish the heritage site and create three additional homes within the Torquay Harbour Conservation Area.
Plans have been submitted to refurbish Rockwood Lodge in Wellswood and create three additional homes on the site, which sits within the Torquay Harbour Conservation Area.
The proposal would see the existing lodge house on Vane Hill Road retained and refurbished, alongside the construction of three new two-storey dwelling houses.
The planning application, submitted to Torbay Council under reference P/2026/0312, would increase the number of homes at the site from one existing property to four — a net gain of three residential units.
Rockwood Lodge is not a nationally listed building, but it is considered a heritage asset due to its location within the highly protected Torquay Harbour Conservation Area.
The plans include associated car parking, garden amenity areas, secure cycle storage and refuse and recycling facilities. Parking provision would increase from three existing spaces to eight, while cycle storage would rise from two spaces to eight.
The 0.14 hectare site currently contains the existing dwelling house, garage and driveway. The proposed development would use materials including painted render, stone and cement boarding, with slate and aluminium roofing proposed.
The application has been submitted by Steve Vans-Colina, with Manning Architects Limited acting as agents.
The proposals follow pre-application discussions with Torbay Council, including heritage and design advice, with the applicant submitting a Heritage Design and Access Statement as part of the plans.
The site has a long history, with Rockwood dating back to the 19th century and previously being used as a residence, hotel and during wartime as a Red Cross hospital.
The application was received by Torbay Council on May 12, 2026, and validated on June 19. It is currently registered and awaiting a decision.
Residents can view the plans and submit comments as part of the consultation process before a decision is made.