An application for 'prior approval' to add an additional storey to an existing block of flats in Harbour Road, Seaton, has been refused by East Devon District Council.

The application sought 'prior approval' to add an additional storey to Kings Court, to create five new apartments with balconies.

'Prior approval' applications are submitted for certain types of development that are granted planning permission by national legislation, without the need to submit a full planning application, allowing the local authority to consider the proposals and their likely impacts.

The government introduced new Permitted Development Rights in 2020, allowing purpose-built freestanding blocks of flats of three storeys or more to extend upwards by up to two additional storeys to create new homes, up to a height of 30m.

However, the application sparked strong objection from the existing and neighbouring residents of Kings Court, as well as from Seaton Town Council who said the development would have a "severe impact" on the residents' quality of life and living conditions, particularly those who currently occupy top floor apartments.

Seaton Town Council said that the government's new Permitted Development Rights were for detached buildings and Kings Court was not a detached building.

They also objected on the grounds of lack of parking facilities and to the proposed replacement of an outdoor green space with a bicycle store, which they said would "hardly be used" considering the average age of residents of Kings Court.

District councillors Marcus Hartnell and Jack Rowland also objected on similar grounds and the application has now been turned down.

Permission has been granted for two additional one-bedroom flats and other changes at 4 and 5 Trevelyan Road in Seaton.

This development will include internal alternations to create the two new flats - one at number 4 and one at number 5, along with Juliet balconies at first floor level and alternations two existing dormer windows and construction of balconies at second floor level.

Other planning applications to have recently been approved in the Seaton area include the following:

Construction of a front porch and replacement of existing conservatory with flat roof kitchen extension at 1 Marlpit Close; two-storey side extension and new driveway at 1 Hawksdown View; retrospective applications for the erection of a platform to form part of new railway halt at Seaton Tramway; single store extension to bungalow at 7 Honey Ditches Drive; single-storey rear extension and alternations to front retaining wall to parking area to alter entrance steps and provide cycle store at 6 Seaton Down Road; construction of single-storey side and rear wrap-around extension, replacing front door and window with two bay windows at 7 Starre Close; change of use of part of dwelling to mixed residential/takeaway use at 9 Celandine Close; retrospective application for permanent use of temporary building at Thornfield, 87 Scalwell Lane; construction fo two-storey side and single-storey rear extension and external steps at 8 Havenview Road.

Planning applications currently under consideration by east Devon District Council for the Seaton area include the following:

Construction of garaged to side at 65 Elizabeth Road; construction of new dwelling and alterations.extensions to existing, including replacement roof to detached garage at 11 Newlands Park; constriction of single-storey side/rear extension at 64 Primrose Way; variation of condition 3 of reserved matter consent 19/0890/RES to facilitate changes to the appearance at 4 Court Lane; construction of first-floor extension overt existing garage at 11 Everest Drive; retrospective application for installation for two 5m poles supporting CCTV and security lights at car park adjacent to Jubilee Mews.