Residents object to 'green wedge' development between Seaton and Colyford at public meeting

More than 150 residents attended a public meeting last week, to discuss the proposed development of 130 houses on the 'green wedge' between Seaton and Colyford. 

Baker Estates has submitted the outline planning application for a mixed-use development, comprising 130 houses to the east of Harepath Road, and a new football pitch, parking and welfare facilities to the west, along with a new access road, public open space another association infrastructure.

Part of the land is already allocated for a mixed employment and recreation development in the adopted East Devon Local Plan, and the draft new Local Plan proposes to allocate the same land, plus additional land immediately to the north and east of the existing allocation for about 150 dwellings and 0.6 hectares of land for employment development.

Baker Estates have said: "We believe that there is an opportunity to deliver a well-planned, mixed-use development with a new sports pitch for Seaton as well as a range of housing opportunities, similar to our existing developments at Rowan Drive and Barnards Hill."

The green wedge site has been the subject of several development plans in previous years, heavily opposed by residents from Seaton and Colyford who previously won an appeal with legal support to have a planning application rejected. 

The public meeting, held at The Gateway Theatre in Seaton, was chaired by former county councillor Martin Shaw, with Tony Smith of Seaton and Ian Priestley of Colyford also sitting on the panel. 

Speakers included present and past councillors, with strong contributions made by several concerned local residents. 

The meeting concluded with a near unanimous objection to the proposed development by show of hands. 

Those opposing the applications say it is "crucial" to preserve the green wedge to prevent the coalescence of Seaton and Colyford. 

They have added: "The proposed estate brings development past the current boundary of Seaton's allocated built-up area and replaces critical high-grade agricultural land. It encroaches on green habitat space that supports Seaton Wetlands and serves as a foraging ground for rare bat species of Beer Quarry Caves." 

Although affordable housing is included as a part of the application, residents raised concerns that there was no legal requirement that the developers will supply the homes. 

There were also concerned that financial details were missing from the outline planning application, so was not clear whether any local infrastructure contribution would be made, how a contribution would be paid for, and whether further infrastructure contributions could be expected in addition to the football pitch facility. 

Also mentioned were heightened flood risk, increased traffic congestion on Colyford Road, the dangerous junction with the A3052 at Colyford, and damage to the rural aspect of Seaton.

Despite the concerns of residents, Seaton Town Council's Planning Committee supported the application at its meeting earlier this month, on the grounds that it would provide affordable housing and employment opportunities for local people, would help to develop Seaton Football Club with a second pitch, and could be an opportunity to improve flood resilience.

However, the council did say it had "serious concerns" about the proposed access road exiting the site onto Colyford Road and requested that Devon County Council reduce the 60mph speed limit on this section of the road and consider a pedestrian crossing.

Town and district councillor Marcus Hartnell initially gave his support to the development, but after listening to the concerns of residents at the meeting and receiving further information from the Environment Agency regarding flood risk, has said he would like more time to consider the matter.

He has now announced that the application will be considered and debated at Seaton Town Council's full council meeting on March 6, to be held at the Marshlands Centre from 6pm. 

Clarifying his position on the application, Cllr Hartnell posted the following on social media: "For some time now young families have been forced to move away from Seaton because of the lack of affordable homes, and anyone can see just by looking in estate agent windows that there is an acute lack of affordable family sized homes to rent or buy. Many have been forced to move out of Seaton completely.

"The proposed development provides for 32 affordable homes that will be handed to a housing association by way of affordable rent and shared ownership, with the remainder being market housing. 

"In addition there is a provision of a sports pitch, an allocation of employment land and the potential to ask for improvements to road safety at Colyford Road, linking to the wetlands and the cycle path. 

"The site has been allocated in the emerging Local Plan as a preferred site for housing development, although it's worth noting that some of this work is now paused pending a change to government policy. 

"On balance I took the view that there was some merit in this application, so in principle I supported it, subject to acceptable road safety improvements on Colyford Road. I attended the public meeting on Tuesday, February 21 to listen to the concerns of residents from Seaton, Colyford & Colyton. And I have listened.

"I recognise that there is significant concern from those residents, in particular regarding the impact on the environment.

It's worth pointing out at this stage that, as an EDDC councillor, my final position is reserved until such time an officer report is produced with all the facts fully considered and a recommendation made to the EDDC Planning Committee.

"Since the meeting of Seaton Town Council Planning Committee on February 14, further information has been received from the Environment Agency (EA) concerning flood risk. This is of concern to me, and recognising the overwhelming consensus from those who attended the public meeting, and to ensure the response from Seaton Town Council is robust, I have put forward a motion that the planning application is reconsidered and debated at the full council meeting on March 6. 

"My motion was sent to the town clerk yesterday and is now confirmed to be included on the agenda. This will allow for more time to consider the response from the EA along with details from Devon County Highways and any other public responses."

The planning application has now received more than 100 comments from the public, largely objections. The full application can be found on the East Devon District Council planning website by searching application number 22/2781/MOUT. Comments are open until Friday, March 3. 

You can also find out more about the proposals at https://www.bakerestatesconsultation.co.uk/land-east-west-of-harepath-road-seaton