Exmouth: Devoncourt Hotel planning application receives more than 90 objections in public comments

The planning application to demolish the existing Devoncourt Resort & Apartments building and construct 81 new residential apartments and a new 62-bed hotel has received more than 90 objections in the public comments.

The application is currently awaiting a decision by the council.

Breakdown of the public comments

At the time of writing, there are 95 people objecting, two neutral, and zero supporting out of 97 comments.

Some of the issues raised include traffic, parking, and environmental concerns.

Traffic

Many of those who objected were concerned with an increase in traffic in the 'Avenues' area.

Mr Julian Evans, objecting, said: "This will be an overdevelopment in an already densely developed area. Resulting in a huge increase in local noise, local traffic, local parking congestion. Loss of privacy for local residents."

Mr Graham Deasy, objecting, said: "The Maer Road/Douglas Avenue/ Cyprus Road junction is, already a very busy intersection. Furthermore the inevitable increase in traffic volume outside the Deaf Academy is wholly undesirable."

Mrs Babs Short, objecting, said: "Douglas Avenue and Maer Road are already far too busy with traffic. The number of residences proposed would seriously add to the traffic movements in the area."

Parking

Parking was also a major concern for many.

Cllr Nick Hookway, objecting, said: "I do not approve of the proposal to use part of EDDC's Maer road car park. There is plenty of space within the site for the hotel to have its own dedicated car park.

"The Maer Road car park is an important facility for those visiting the seafront as well as a base for NHS covid testing centres. The Land Train also uses the car park as a stop. Therefore the loss of a considerable number of parking spaces to the hotel would be harmful to local tourism."

Environmental concerns

Mr Glyn Sexton, objecting, said: "The loss of trees and green space will have an adverse effect on biodiversity in the area and the distinctive character of the Avenues zone."

Mr Roger Gibson, objecting, said: "I object to this proposal on the basis of... major damage to a green environment unique in Exmouth including the loss of many mature trees and the loss of wildlife habitat."

Neutral parties

Sectretary of Exmouth Civic Society Ian Cann, remaining neutral, said that the society were 'supportive of the principle' of a new hotel on the site in question and a limited number of new flats with a 25% minimum being affordable, but had concerns over traffic, parking, and overdevelopment.

Click here to read the public comments in full or comment yourself.

The Devoncourt Resort & Apartments building can be found on Douglas Avenue or here on Google Maps.

You can find out more about the planning application here.

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