"Ifs, buts and maybes" - but 350 new Exmouth homes approved

Plans approved by seven votes to six

Exmouth's getting land for a new primary school (but not necessarily a school itself) as part of a large development to the north of the town, but not everyone's happy. Even Devon County Council, which is responsible for education, would prefer to spend the money on Exmouth Community College, which is bursting at the seams.

The vote was narrow. East Devon councillors voted by seven votes to six. Now Eagle Investments will build on land at Goodmores Farm off Dinan Way.

The plans also include land for employment, commercial, and community uses. However, Councillor Maddy Chapman said that Exmouth doesn’t need a new primary school: “I very much doubt that the good ladies of Exmouth will want to breed a second family to fill it.”

Councillor Brian Bailey added: “This application is aspirational as the lack of facts in it is unbelievable. What is in front of us today is a wish list full of ifs, buts and maybes, so I want to turn this down.”

Others are also concerned, Councillor Mark Williamson added: “It may be that there are no planning reasons to turn this down, but we can voice our deep concern about this. When we were first working on this, it was 140 affordable homes, but the policy has since changed. That was then reduced to 87, and now we are looking at 18.

“We know there is a huge demand in Exmouth for smaller units and on the councils own list, there are 250 applicants in Exmouth seeking a one bedroom unit in Exmouth alone. It is good that they have identified the need, but they are offering just eight one-bed units. 350 houses will be built, but how many people will be able to afford to live there?”

The vote for approval was carried by seven votes to six.