Stop Exmo_20! 700 houses proposed on land at St John’s, Exmouth

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