Planning permission has been approved to demolish Sam's Funhouse, The Bank, Number 9 bar and Exmouth Youth Centre. 

Planning permission was approved on Wednesday, January 25 to demolish the current site and build 34 apartments on the upper floor. The ground floor will contain a café, restaurant, and youth centre.

A previous planning application was submitted in 2020 to demolish the site, this was refused. 

Developers say 35 per cent of the housing built will be affordable and 65 per cent open market housing. At least 25 per cent of new housing developments must be affordable, as set out in the East Devon Local Plan.

The delegated officer’s report said that while the plans would make a ‘positive contribution’ to the conversation area in Exmouth, its location within a flood zone and the lack of a proven provider for the affordable homes was one of the reasons the document was rejected in 2020.

Developers have now re-submitted with plans to provide a 'upgraded surface run-off' on the building to reduce flooding. The land sits on the flood risk area for Exmouth. 

A total of 27 car parking spaces will be provided via Imperial Road, with one to two designated for each home, as well as bicycle storage. 

The document prepared by ARA Architecture says: “The proposals reflects the existing building form and massing and reference the existing red brick which is predominant to the local area.

“It is therefore considered the architectural form is proposing a modern contemporary building which references a collective mix of the styles of the immediate local area in particular those listed matches/blends well with the character area.”

You can read the full planning application with all the conditions on the East Devon District Council planning website with the code 19/1753/MFUL.

Developers now have three years to start and complete the development.