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Changes to the petition
on 04 Sep 2026 -
Changes to the petition
on 04 Sep 2026 -
Changes to the petition
on 04 Sep 2026
1,216 Signatures
600 for collection target
Petition addressed to: East Devon District Council and the Planning Inspectorate
We, the undersigned, object to the proposal to build houses on agricultural land at St John’s, Exmouth, identified by East Devon District Council (EDDC) as Exmo_20, and ask that this site is removed from the draft local plan and not considered for development.
Exmouth has already seen a significant number of new housing developments and retirement apartments. Developments appear to be aimed at rental companies and people migrating into the area, rather than affordable homes for local people. The town has suffered serious issues with sewage attributed to South West Water. Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton lack the necessary infrastructure in terms of emergency services, schools, doctors and dentists, etc., to support a further increase in population. Furthermore, access to the town is restricted on two sides by water, and another side by the SSSI Pebblebed Heaths. The single A road, and alternative B roads, into the town are in our point of view constantly working at full capacity (if not above). The town is also a popular tourist destination which means that population and traffic is significantly increased not only during holiday periods, but also at weekends.
There are a number of additional reasons why this site in particular (Exmo_20) is entirely unsuitable for development (see bullet points below).
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Reason
The developer, 3West, are proposing a new development of at least 700 houses and additional employment areas (emo20.co.uk) on agricultural land to the east of Exmouth, on the outskirts of the town, and will surround the grade II* listed St John in the Wilderness Church. The site has been identified by EDDC as Exmo_20.
Whereas some development of greenfield sites may be inevitable, this site is entirely unsuitable, unsustainable, and is NOT viable, for development, for the following reasons:
Site Allocation:
- Exmo_20 failed the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), where it was classed as available BUT NOT suitable or achievable.
- The Site Selection Methodology applicable during the site selection process was not applied correctly.
Sources:
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/housing-issues/housing-and-economic-land-availability-assessment/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724877/appendix-e-v-1-available-not-suitable-or-achievable-housing-sites.pdf
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/muvfjubo/csd-003-rev-2nd-reg-19-lp-sa-report-nov-2025.pdf (Page 387)
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/asim1nrb/exmouth.pdf
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18006
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=16343
Missing Documentation:
- The EDDC Draft Local Plan did not contain a completed Habitats Regulations Assessment, nor an Air Quality Mitigation Strategy for either of the Reg 19 consultations.
Sources:
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan-2020-2042/first-regulation-19-local-plan-consultation-feb-to-mar-2025/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=17379
Access Issues:
- There are serious concerns over the access points onto the B3179 and through the Southern Wood cul-de-sac onto Meadowview Road.
- The development of his site will result in a substantial increase in traffic on the B3179 (Budleigh Salterton and Woodbury main roads).
- The main site access is closer to Budleigh Salterton than Exmouth itself.
Sources:
https://eastdevonnews.co.uk/2026/05/23/developer-behind-new-homes-for-exmouth-aims-to-submit-plans-later-this-year-st-johns-road-exmo_20/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18006
https://www.lovebudleigh.co.uk/news/last-chance-to-shape-east-devons-future-local-plan-and-exmo_20-site
Infrastructure Issues:
- There are already significant infrastructure issues in Exmouth and the surrounding areas, including sewerage, schools, doctors, dentists, etc. This proposed development will only exacerbate these issues.
Sources:
https://ex8.online/articles?z=1788519586
https://www.davidreed.uk/news/demanding-scrutiny-housing-plans-amid-sewage-concerns-exmouth-and-exeter-east
https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26205306.concerns-sewage-infrastructure-east-devon/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2n93xg525o
exmouth.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PlanningMins_2024-02-03.pdf
Environmental Impacts:
- This proposed site is adjacent to the SSSI Pebblebed Heaths, a site of special scientific interest only 3 of its kind in Europe. A protected area that this development could have a potentially devastating impact upon.
- The proposed 400m buffer zone is not sufficient to offer an appropriate level of protection to the Pebblebed Heaths.
- This development could potentially have a disastrous impact on the habitat and wildlife that utilise and inhabit this proposed site
- This development is a flood risk not just to the site itself but further down through the waterways via Withycombe Brook.
- St John in the Wilderness Church
- This proposed development will not only destroy the surroundings and view of the Grade II* listed Church, but will also completely ruin the peace and tranquillity of the church and the churchyard itself.
Sources:
https://www.pebblebedheathsnnr.co.uk/
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s25307/Appendix+9+-+Chapter+13+Protecting+and+enhancing+our+outstanding+biodiviersity+and+geodiversity.pdf
https://stjohninthewilderness.co.uk/
Thank you so much for your support.
Stop Exmo_20 Action Group, Exmouth & Budleign Salterton
Thank you so much for your support, Stop Exmo_20 Action Group, Exmouth
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Petition details
Petition started:
02 Sep 2026
Collection ends:
03/01/2027
Region:
East Devon
Topic:
Construction
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Why people sign
Exmouth is already struggling with its infrastructure, ongoing sewage, water, traffic and amenities are insufficient and failing. Need to invest in the existing infrastructure for the current population and build on brownfields.
Building on more land erodes the environment and appeal to tourism which is shortsighted in ensuring local growth in the economy.
This application is objectionable on so many levels that I struggle to see how it can realistically be considered viable. I am concerned that the Council is pursuing it simply to demonstrate a willingness to meet housing targets, rather than because the proposal itself is sustainable or appropriate.
The development would result in the loss of valuable nationally protected landscape and would effectively create a continuous urban corridor between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. Indeed, the site is actually closer to Budleigh Salterton than it is to Exmouth.
Local infrastructure is wholly inadequate to accommodate an additional 700 houses and the significant increase in population that this would bring. The resulting pressure on already stretched roads, sewerage systems, water supplies, GP services, schools and other local amenities would be unsustainable.
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No more Devon destruction please