Exmouth homes approved amid sewage concerns

Initial plans for a housing development in Devon have been approved by council planners despite concerns being raise about sewage network capacity.

The scheme would see 75 homes built in Exmouth, on land to the north east of King's Garden and Leisure Centre on Hulham Road.

Several councillors raised concerns about the ability of the sewage network to cope with the number of homes despite reassurances from South West Water (SWW).

East Devon District Council planning committee approved the outline scheme at a meeting on Tuesday but included a condition that sewage capacity was proven before homes were occupied.

SWW told the committee it had conducted a thorough assessment of the sewage network, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Geoff Jung said he was concerned after the company said the system "should" be able to cope with the development.

"I'm worried because they have only looked at the first 260m (about 850ft) of pipes from the development, yet there are another three miles (4.8km) of network," he said.

Councillor MIke Howe said there was "no faith" in SWW.

"With all the facts we know about Exmouth and sewage overflows into the sea in particular, that have been increasing year over year, how can we stand with the SWW response that putting more sewage into a system won't increase overflows?" he asked.

Ed Freeman, the assistant director for planning at the council, said he could "understand member concerns and lack of trust in SWW".

However, he said: "We don't have contradictory evidence to their evidence, and the company is investing millions of pounds in the town.

"We have also been conducting a water cycle study and it shows there is some capacity at the Maer Lane treatment works, so we don't have reason to question SWW."

The committee voted in favour to approve the scheme, but attached a condition to include proof to be presented to the council that drainage is adequate.

The developer will now have to submit a more detailed application, which will include aspects like the exact number of homes, their design and layout on the site.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].