EXMOUTH town councillors have unanimously opposed proposals for 150 houses on the outskirts of the town which have been branded a "joke" because of its "lack of sustainability" by campaigners.
So far 105 objections have been lodged with East Devon District Council and 15 letters opposing the plans have been sent to the town council – but no comments in support.
Representatives of a campaign group which formed to oppose the development for fields between Higher Marley Road, Hulham Road and Dinan Way, addressed the town council's planning committee on Monday, February 9. The committee will now write to the district authority recommending that the application is refused.
The scheme would include up to 40 per cent affordable housing.
At the meeting, the Marley Planning Group outlined a raft of objections to the proposals, submitted by P Lee and T Davey, including concerns that the access is unsafe, it will impact negatively on the already at-capacity health services and schools, and its impact on the existing drainage network.
The impact of the development on Exmouth's already clogged commuter belt was also highlighted as a major issue.
And group members outlined what they considered to be "inaccuracies and omissions" in the environmental and ecological surveys.
Group member Colin Lewin, said: "The infrastructure cannot support this development – it's a joke to call this site sustainable.
"Feedback from the public consultation has not been published and it seems that it has just been dismissed."
He also criticised the district council's ruling that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required and the lack of a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, and directly challenged the findings of a drainage report for the site which denied signs of waterlogging.
On behalf of the Exmouth Civic Society Ian Cann, spoke out against the required felling of several protected trees and the potential displacement of wildlife including bats and birds. "There are flaws in many aspects of this application," he added.
Resident Iain McNeill criticised site as "unsustainable". "This site is a finger into the countryside with limited connectivity to other areas, putting people in cars for most everyday needs, detracting from the social role of the community," he added. And Exmouth Community Association also wrote to the town council with "serious concerns" about the scheme including the detrimental pressure it could place on existing "inadequate" infrastructure including the road network.
The group also slammed the "threat" to the "painstakingly achieved agreements" in East Devon District Council's Local Plan, "at this late stage".
In November, planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners hosted an exhibition to give people the chance to have their say before a planning application was submitted.
Benefits include development would "contribute to meeting the existing shortfall in housing supply in Exmouth".
The homes, to include a proportion of affordable houses, will add to the 700 already earmarked at Goodmores Farm and Plumb Park near Littleham.
