Planning permission for a new block of toilets and single storey building on Exmouth seafront has been refused. 

At a planning meeting at East Devon District Council on Janaury 31, officers met to discuss the planning application. The plans were refused contrary to 'officer recommendation'.

The Sideshore development phase two involves a new small-scale flexible office/community hub and public toilets on a curtilage of the existing development. 

The meeting also heard objections from members of the public and councillors, who expressed concerns about the maintenance and cleaning of the toilets and how the new building might spoil the view of Exmouth seafront. 

Read more: Plans submitted for 'second phase' of Sideshore development 

Ian Cann from The Exmouth Civic Society said: "We object to this application on the grounds that only recently the application for the development of this site was agreed as a whole package and built as such.

"What we now see is creepage for more development on the site which regretfully in our view has only resulted in a development of small shops and a high class restaurant.

"We wonder what ever happened to 'The Splash' which we envisaged as fun space for children with water based activities on land. Now we are to have more development adding not a jot to its attraction as a tourist draw."

Councillor Pauline Stott said: "I do believe that a toilet for the disabled should have the same amenities as the ones by changing places as the instigator of the Beach Disabled Wheelchairs.

"I feel that this would help a lot more disabled people enjoy our beach. Where they could go into a toilet that had a hoist a bed etc. as you have left so much space on the grass area not being used. So please can you consider this for all the disabled people that can now enjoy our beach."

The planning statement said: “The proposed location for the new Hub will also provide an important, distinctive landmark building, announcing the western gateway to Sideshore when approached from the west.  

“The Hub would also be within a small cluster of existing kiosks and other seafront buildings and would therefore sit comfortably within its context.” 

Members considered that the proposal by virtue of its inappropriate design and siting on an open space would detract from the character of the area and would be detrimental to the openness and landscape of the seafront.