Save the Green Wedge: new call to action
From the Save the Seaton-Colyford Green Wedge Action Group:
Contentious planning applications are often submitted in the run-up to Christmas because it’s a busy time, but if you are at all concerned about the likely consequences of the proposal to build on land at Harepath Road, please respond to this application by 2nd January 2025.
The application for 2 retail warehouses (not an application for M & S or The Range), parking, drive-thru cafe/restaurant, EV charging centre and associated infrastructure, is due to be considered by EDDC Planning Committee in the new year.
Apart from the negative impact on the town centre, if this development is allowed to go ahead it would result in a significant and long-lasting detrimental impact on Seaton’s unique natural environment, its reputation as a destination for green tourism, its wildlife and its local economy, and will increase flooding to surrounding land and properties.
The applicant makes a number of references in the supporting documents to “future residents of the surrounding residential development”, suggesting that, if approved, the adjoining land at Harepath Road will also be developed for housing. Any future housing would put considerable strain on our already overstretched infrastructure and further erode our valuable green wedge.
Any development at that site is likely to increase traffic along Harepath Road, a residential route used by primary school children walking to and from school, patients accessing two doctors’ surgeries and older residents living in elderly people’s accommodation.
And a large number of Seaton’s independent retailers do not support this application because of the impact on their businesses and livelihoods, many already having experienced a decline in town centre shopping since the arrival of Tesco. The free parking facilities proposed at the Harepath Road site are generous and it is questionable whether those who shop there will then continue into town and pay £2 an hour in the town car parks. savethehighstreet.org recently stated that there is increasing evidence that out of town shopping takes business away from town centres.
If you think it’s important to protect our unique natural environment and our wildlife, prevent further flooding, support our local town centre businesses and our local economy, please write with your objections to this application by 2nd January to: Planning East, Blackdown House, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton, EX14 1EJ and to members of EDDC Planning Committee:
brian.bailey@eastdevon.gov.uk; ian.barlow@eastdevon.gov.uk; kbloxham@eastdevon.gov.uk; Colin.Brown@eastdevon.gov.uk; jenny.brown@eastdevon.gov.uk; schamberlain@eastdevon.gov.uk; maddy.chapman@eastdevon.gov.uk; Olly.davey@eastdevon.gov.uk; peter.faithfull@eastdevon.gov.uk; steven.gazzard@eastdevon.gov.uk; del.haggerty@eastdevon.gov.uk; anne.hall@eastdevon.gov.uk; mike.howe@eastdevon.gov.uk; simon.smith@eastdevon.gov.uk; eileen.wragg@eastdevon.gov.uk
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 