Planners voice support for new Avenues homes

Plans to build 44 new homes south of Douglas Avenue should be given the go-ahead, district councillors have been told.

Landowner Clinton Devon Estates has applied for planning permission to build the homes, on a development to be known as Douglas Gardens.

The plan is adjacent to, but a separate planning application from, proposals for 350 homes to be built at Plumb Park.

It has been opposed by neighbours, and Exmouth Town Council, but a report by East Devon District Council planning officers to its development management committee, which will decide on permission, has recommended approval.

The report acknowledges the strong local opposition to the plan, with 71 objections having been received, but states: “Given the need for housing in the district, lack of significant constraints to development, highly sustainable location of the site and provision of 50 per cent affordable housing, it is considered that the principle of development can be supported.”

Access to the development would be via a new road to be built through the site of 76 Douglas Avenue, which will be demolished.

In its objection, Exmouth Town Council cited concerns about the safety of the proposed access, flooding and a loss of privacy for neighbours. It also said the proposal was outside the emerging East Devon Local Plan for development.

District Littleham ward councillors John Humphreys, Mark Williamson and Alison Greenhalgh have also objected to the proposal.

The development management committee will decide on the scheme when it meets at Knowle in Sidmouth on Tuesday, November 3.