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Petition addressed to: East Devon District Council and the Planning Inspectorate
We, the undersigned, object to the proposal to build houses on agricultural land at St John’s, Exmouth, identified by East Devon District Council (EDDC) as Exmo_20, and ask that this site is removed from the draft local plan and not considered for development.
Exmouth has already seen a significant number of new housing developments and retirement apartments. Developments appear to be aimed at rental companies and people migrating into the area, rather than affordable homes for local people. The town has suffered serious issues with sewage attributed to South West Water. Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton lack the necessary infrastructure in terms of emergency services, schools, doctors and dentists, etc., to support a further increase in population. Furthermore, access to the town is restricted on two sides by water, and another side by the SSSI Pebblebed Heaths. The single A road, and alternative B roads, into the town are in our point of view constantly working at full capacity (if not above). The town is also a popular tourist destination which means that population and traffic is significantly increased not only during holiday periods, but also at weekends.
There are a number of additional reasons why this site in particular (Exmo_20) is entirely unsuitable for development (see bullet points below).
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Reason
The developer, 3West, are proposing a new development of at least 700 houses and additional employment areas (exmo20.co.uk) on agricultural land to the east of Exmouth, on the outskirts of the town, and will surround the grade II* listed St John in the Wilderness Church. The site has been identified by EDDC as Exmo_20.
Whereas some development of greenfield sites may be inevitable, this site is entirely unsuitable, unsustainable, and is NOT viable, for development, for the following reasons:
Site Allocation:
- Exmo_20 failed the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), where it was classed as available BUT NOT suitable or achievable.
- The Site Selection Methodology applicable during the site selection process was not applied correctly.
Sources:
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/housing-issues/housing-and-economic-land-availability-assessment/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724877/appendix-e-v-1-available-not-suitable-or-achievable-housing-sites.pdf
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/muvfjubo/csd-003-rev-2nd-reg-19-lp-sa-report-nov-2025.pdf (Page 387)
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/asim1nrb/exmouth.pdf
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18006
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=16343
Missing Documentation:
- The EDDC Draft Local Plan did not contain a completed Habitats Regulations Assessment for either of the Reg 19 consultations, and the Air Quality Mitigation Strategy did not address the adverse effects and was never finalised.
Sources:
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan-2020-2042/first-regulation-19-local-plan-consultation-feb-to-mar-2025/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=17379
Access Issues:
- There are serious concerns over the access points onto the B3179 and through the Southern Wood cul-de-sac onto Meadowview Road.
- The development of his site will result in a substantial increase in traffic on the B3179 (Budleigh Salterton and Woodbury main roads).
- The main site access is closer to Budleigh Salterton than Exmouth itself.
Sources:
https://eastdevonnews.co.uk/2026/05/23/developer-behind-new-homes-for-exmouth-aims-to-submit-plans-later-this-year-st-johns-road-exmo_20/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18006
https://www.lovebudleigh.co.uk/news/last-chance-to-shape-east-devons-future-local-plan-and-exmo_20-site
Infrastructure Issues:
- There are already significant infrastructure issues in Exmouth and the surrounding areas, including sewerage, schools, doctors, dentists, etc. This proposed development will only exacerbate these issues.
Sources:
https://ex8.online/articles?z=1788519586
https://www.davidreed.uk/news/demanding-scrutiny-housing-plans-amid-sewage-concerns-exmouth-and-exeter-east
https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26205306.concerns-sewage-infrastructure-east-devon/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2n93xg525o
exmouth.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PlanningMins_2024-02-03.pdf
Environmental Impacts:
- This proposed site is adjacent to the SSSI Pebblebed Heaths, a site of special scientific interest only 3 of its kind in Europe. A protected area that this development could have a potentially devastating impact upon.
- The proposed 400m buffer zone is not sufficient to offer an appropriate level of protection to the Pebblebed Heaths.
- This development could potentially have a disastrous impact on the habitat and wildlife that utilise and inhabit this proposed site
- This development is a flood risk not just to the site itself but further down through the waterways via Withycombe Brook.
- There are serious concerns about the impact on rare species present on the nearby Pebblebed Heaths Nature Reserve, including the endangered Barbastelle Bat.
- This proposed development will not only destroy the surroundings and view of the Grade II* listed St John in the Wilderness Church, but will also completely ruin the peace and tranquillity of the church and the churchyard itself.
Sources:
https://www.pebblebedheathsnnr.co.uk/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s25307/Appendix+9+-+Chapter+13+Protecting+and+enhancing+our+outstanding+biodiviersity+and+geodiversity.pdf
https://stjohninthewilderness.co.uk/
https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26674146.rare-barbastelle-bat-raised-exmouth-housing-plan-row/
Thank you so much for your support.
Stop Exmo_20 Action Group, Exmouth & Budleign Salterton
Thank you so much for your support, Stop Exmo_20 Action Group, Exmouth
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Petition details
Petition started:
09/02/2026
Collection ends:
03/01/2027
Region:
East Devon
Topic:
Construction
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The residents of Exmouth have had enough of EDDC allowing thousands of new homes to be built when the town is already over populated and without the important infrastructure to support new houses. With only two main routes in and out of Exmouth, the traffic trying to get in and out of the town is unacceptable. This cannot be sustained The town is dying and it appears that the only outfit profiting from more housing is EDDC and the extre revenue they credit through more Council Tax.
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I’m signing this petition because I’m concerned about the impact this development could have on our community. More houses would mean additional traffic and greater pressure on local schools, GP surgeries and other essential services. I’m also worried about the loss of green space, the impact on wildlife and the change to the character of our area.
We need proper investment in roads, healthcare and schools alongside any new housing, and residents’ concerns must be taken seriously before this development goes ahead.