Council objects again to care home and houses
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Plans for a major care home and housing development in Budleigh Salterton have been opposed again by town planners.
Badger Homes is proposing to build a 60-bed care home, 30 houses, seven bungalows, 12 retirement apartments and two home work units on a site between Barn Lane and the B3178.
A similar scheme was initially put forward last year, but this was then withdrawn by the applicants, who said they would be carrying out more research, which had been requested by the local authority, before reapplying.
It has now done this, but Budleigh Salterton Town Council, which had objected to the previous application, has again raised concerns.
Councillor Caz Sismore-Hunt said she was concerned about the location, with access off the B3178.
She said: “That road is the bypass from Exmouth to Sidmouth. Emergency vehicles go down there, school buses, coaches, so if nothing else, I think this should be refused on traffic grounds.”
Town mayor Councillor Courtney Richards questioned whether there was a need in Budleigh for a dementia care home, and also the proposed location’s distance away from the town centre.
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He said: “There is an over-supply of [care home] beds in Budleigh. There is an under-supply in East Devon, but I don’t think that’s reason for building one in Budleigh.
“This is primarily for older people. This is outside the 1,200m [from the town centre] these places should be built.
“How are elderly residents going to get in? There is no footpath, no public transport.”
Councillors voted to object, also citing concerns that the proposed site was outside the town’s built-up area boundary, inside the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and adjacent to a Grade II listed building.
The plan has also drawn objections from Devon County Highways and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
East Devon District Council will make the final decision regarding planning permission.
