News
-
Changes to the petition
3 days ago -
Changes to the petition
3 days ago -
Changes to the petition
3 days ago
503 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).
Please sign, support and share this petition.
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
Ask the initiator
Petition details
Petition started:
09/02/2026
Collection ends:
03/01/2027
Region:
East Devon
Topic:
Construction
Translate this petition now
new language versionDebate
Why people sign
The area selected is precious natural landscape abutting the pebble bed heaths which people travel hours to visit. It is a rare corner of peace and escape and provides habitat for beavers and nightjars among others.
The infrastructure - especially the country roads and water demands - cannot cope with further development especially in a tourist area such as ours in which the population surges at certain times of the year. This creates issues with general infrastructure overcrowding putting pressure on services, travel and parking. There is no demand for this type of housing - there are 700 homes for sale in Budleigh and Exmouth currently. The new housing is not selling either. Why not focus on council housing for our local essential workers and redeveloping town centre empty sites.
I feel this development would be one step too far in the already overdeveloped Exmouth fringes. Let’s protect our natural heritage for future generations.
The AONB is precious. Please re-purpose empty buildings eg over shops and make it easier for people to do this planning wise, instead of building in green fields because it’s easier to do that than convert an existing building or use brown sites. Maybe look at population control too. We have a declining birth rate, but seem to think it’s a great idea to ruin the countryside building houses 🤷♀️
Tools for the spreading of the petition.
You have your own website, a blog or an entire web portal? Become an advocate and multiplier for this petition. We have the banners, widgets and API (interface) to integrate on your pages. To the tools
Translate this petition now
new language versionYou might also be interested in
28
Signatures
149 days
remaining
I was born in house in St Johns Road. My local church was St. John's in the Wilderness Church. I lived at Yoting, 123 St Johns Road for 49 years. In 1953, when I was born, obviously our house was surrounded by fields. It is important to build the right accommodation in the right places.