New local plan outlines potential sites for 217 new houses in Seaton

East Devon District Council's draft local plan outlines potential sites for up to 217 new houses in Seaton, plus 2.2 hectares of employment land.

The council has launched a ten-week consultation for the public to share their views on its new draft local plan.

The plan will determine how many homes need to be built and where in East Devon. It will also address other concerns such as creating new jobs and climate change, covering up until the year 2040.

It establishes Seaton as a 'Main Centre' and as such as an appropriate location for significant development to serve its own needs and that of wider surrounding areas.

Potential sites for development in Seaton are outlined as follows:

• Land at Barnards Hill Lane for around 40 dwellings. In order to ensure no adverse effect on the integrity of the Beer Quarry and Caves SAC, suitable avoidance/ mitigation/compensation measures will need to be identified.
• Land to the south of Harepath Hill for around 70 dwellings. In order to ensure no adverse effect on the integrity of the Beer Quarry and Caves SAC, suitable avoidance/ mitigation/compensation measures will need to be identified.
• Land off Harepath Road for around 100 dwellings and 2.2 hectares of employment land. The employment land is located in the field immediately north of the existing Harepath Road Industrial Estate. In order to ensure no adverse effect on the integrity of the Beer Quarry and Caves SAC, suitable avoidance/mitigation/compensation measures will need to be identified.
• Land at Clay Common is allocated for around seven dwellings.

In the event that all preferred and second choice sites being consulted on are allocated, this would lead to 217 new homes for Seaton and 2.2 hectares of employment land.

While Seaton is considered an appropriate place to locate a relatively large amount of housing and employment development, the draft plan highlights several constraints, and says the amount of development should be limited to an extent as residents will need to travel elsewhere for some key facilities, such as a train station, secondary school and swimming pool.

It also says that environmental constraints around Seaton limit its growth, with the River Axe and associated flood zone to the east, AONB also to the east, a rising landscape to the west, and sea to south, all limiting the realistic options for future development.

Details of the preferred development options are available here.

The district council has described its new local plan as "vital" and "the key document used in making planning decisions".

It also said that waiting for a planning application to be submitted near your home "could mean that it is too late for your views to change things".

The local authority hopes that the final version of the plan will be ready in "just over a year's time".

Public exhibitions (see below) will be held across East Devon from the end of November into December for people to find out more and ask questions.

The consultation will close on January 15 2023.

Click here to take part in the consultation.

Public exhibitions: Where and when?

• Tuesday 29 November, Whimple, Victory Hall, 4.30pm - 8.30pm
• Wednesday 30 November, Ottery St Mary, The Institute, 3pm - 7pm
• Thursday 1 December, Axminster, Guildhall, 3pm - 7pm
• Friday 2 December TBC, Clyst St Mary, Village Hall, 2pm - 6pm
• Tuesday 6 December, Sidmouth, Kennaway House, 3pm - 7pm
• Wednesday 7 December, Honiton, Beehive, 3pm - 7pm
• Thursday 8 December, Exmouth, Ocean, 3pm - 7pm
• Tuesday 13 December, Feniton, Youth Centre, 3pm - 7pm
• Thursday 15 December, Seaton, Gateway, 3pm - 7pm