Torquay
Key Features
- Prime Development Opportunity in the Highly Sought-After Wellswood “Village” Location
- Substantial Former Nursing Home Set Within a Generous and Mature Plot
- Significant Potential for Residential Redevelopment or Conversion (Subject to Planning)
- Walking Distance to Meadfoot Beach, Ansteys Cove and Excellent Local Amenities
- Rare Freehold Opportunity in One of Torquay's Most Desirable Residential Areas
Description
A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial freehold property occupying a prime position within the highly sought-after Wellswood district of Torquay, offering significant potential for residential redevelopment, repurposing or alternative uses, subject to the necessary consents.The property is situated within Ilsham Valley, one of Torquay’s most prestigious and sought-after residential areas, forming part of the highly desirable Wellswood district, often referred to locally as “Wellswood Village”. Wellswood is widely regarded as one of the premier residential locations on the English Riviera, characterised by its attractive period housing, tree-lined surroundings and strong sense of community. Wellswood itself provides an excellent range of boutique shops, independent cafés, restaurants, a pub and everyday amenities, creating a vibrant village atmosphere. Ilsham Valley is particularly well regarded for its peaceful setting, public open space at Ilsham Green and limited supply of available properties. The location therefore underpins both strong owner-occupier appeal and long-term development value. The property lies within comfortable walking distance of Meadfoot Beach and Ansteys Cove, offering access to scenic coastal walks and panoramic views across Tor Bay. The nearby South West Coast Path further enhances the lifestyle appeal of the location. Torquay town centre is located approximately 1.5 miles to the north-west and provides a wider range of retail, leisure and commercial facilities, together with a marina, harbour and seafront promenade. The town forms part of the wider English Riviera, a well-established tourist destination which continues to support strong inward investment and residential demand. The area benefits from good transport connectivity, with the A380 dual carriageway providing access to Exeter and the M5 motorway network, whilst rail services from Torquay and nearby Newton Abbot offer direct connections to London Paddington and other major regional centres.Ilsham Valley itself is particularly well regarded for its peaceful setting, mature greenery and limited supply of available properties, with opportunities of this nature rarely coming to the open market. As such, the location underpins both strong owner-occupier appeal and long-term development value.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a compelling opportunity for developers, investors, care operators or owner-occupiers seeking to develop or repurpose this substantial property.
The site offers potential for residential redevelopment, conversion into high-quality apartments or houses, reinstatement or adaptation for healthcare or institutional use, or the creation of a substantial private residence (STP).
A historic scheme previously prepared (although not submitted for planning), indicated potential for a redevelopment as multiple residential dwellings.
DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Interested parties should be aware that no current planning consent is in place. Demolition of the existing structure may be required depending on the proposed scheme.
The site includes a steep cliff to the rear, which may require specialist engineering input, and ground conditions may necessitate piling or enhanced foundation solutions. These are typical considerations for sites of this nature and will form part of a purchaser's due diligence.
TENURE
Freehold with vacant possession.
SERVICES
We understand that all main services are connected to the property. However, interested parties should make their own enquiries.
INVENTORY
The current trade inventory is available to purchase by separate negation.
EPC AWAITED
COUNCIL TAX BAND H
VIEWING
Viewing is highly recommended and can be arranged by prior appointment with the Sole Agents, Bettesworths.
Map Location
Property details
- Tenure
- Freehold
- Council Tax Band
- H
- Date Posted
- 2026-05-23
Utilities & Restrictions
Utilities
- Electricity
- Ask Agent
- Water
- Ask Agent
- Heating
- Ask Agent
- Broadband
- Ask Agent
- Sewerage
- Ask Agent
Rights & Restrictions
- Public Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Private Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Listed Property
- Ask Agent
- Restrictions
- Ask Agent
Listed status, conservation areas and planning constraints for this location are in the full report.
Property Features
- Accessibility
- Ask Agent
- Parking
- Ask Agent
- Garden
- Ask Agent
Beyond the particulars: planning activity, flood history, heritage and ground risks, checked for this exact spot.
Connectivity
Broadband
Fastest speed available at this postcode
1.8 Gbps
Gigabit full fibre · available to 80% of premises
Suitable for
- 4K streaming on every screen
- Full-time home working
- Online gaming & big downloads
Mobile signal
Outdoor predictions; indoor signal depends on building materials.
Ofcom Connected Nations postcode-level predictions. Speeds and signal are modelled, not measured, and vary between addresses and providers.
Signal is the easy part. Planning activity, flood history and protected designations here are in the full report.
Nearest Schools
Primary
- Ilsham Church of England Academy512 metresNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 176
- Type
- Academy converter
- Faith
- Church of England
- Warberry CofE Academy0.8 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Pupils
- 368
- Type
- Academy converter
- Faith
- Church of England
- All Saints Babbacombe CofE Primary School0.9 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 193
- Type
- Academy converter
- Faith
- Church of England
- Ellacombe Church of England Academy1.3 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Pupils
- 337
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Faith
- Church of England
- Homelands Primary School1.6 milesOfsted report card · Feb 2026
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Pupils
- 208
- Type
- Community school
Secondary
- The Spires College1.2 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,154
- Type
- Foundation school
- St Cuthbert Mayne School1.9 milesOfsted: Good *
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,001
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Faith
- Roman Catholic/Church of England
- Torquay Academy2.1 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,472
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Torquay Girls' Grammar School2.5 milesOfsted: Outstanding
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,058
- Type
- Academy converter
- Gender
- Girls
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School2.6 milesOfsted report card · Feb 2026
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,087
- Type
- Academy converter
- Gender
- Boys
* Latest graded judgement covers quality of education only; no overall grade was issued under the 2024-25 inspection framework.
Distances are straight-line from the advertised location. Source: the national school registers (DfE, Welsh Government, Scottish Government) and Ofsted.
Schools are just the start: sold prices nearby, planning activity and any flood history are in the full report.
Amenities
Supermarket
GP surgery
Pharmacy
Hospital
Green space
Walking trail
Straight-line distances from the advertised location. Sources: NHS records, Geolytix supermarket locations, OS Open Greenspace and the national trails registers.
The area stacks up? Now check the location itself: planning nearby, protected designations and past flooding.
Getting Around
Nearest station
Nearest bus stop
Typical drive times
Straight-line distances from the advertised location; drive times are typical free-flow times over OpenStreetMap road data, so allow more at peak. Public transport locations from DfT NaPTAN.
Easy to reach matters. So do planning activity, flood history and ground risks: all in the full report.
Flood Risk
From Environment Agency flood map open data, checked around the advertised map pin and allowing for the listed acreage where known. This summary comes from LandSale, the advertising platform, not from the listing agent, and is not part of the agent's particulars. Risk can vary across a single holding, so verify anything critical through your own searches before committing.
Rivers and the sea
Surface water
The detail behind these bandings
The full report pinpoints where this location sits on the flood maps, and runs the deeper checks that usually only surface after an offer.
- Exact flood zones & annual chances (included in the full report)
- Any recorded past flooding (included in the full report)
- Planning activity nearby (included in the full report)
- Heritage & conservation (included in the full report)
- Protected nature designations (included in the full report)
- Ground risks (included in the full report)
- Sold prices nearby (included in the full report)
£14.99 · one-off purchase
By LandSale, the platform. Not provided by the listing agent. Ready in about a minute.
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© LandSale | Version 1.3 - August 2026
Listing agent
Bettesworths, Devon
Fleet Street, Torquay, TQ1 1BB






