We are now tantalisingly close to our target figure of 500 signatures!
There is still no decisions yet on the determination of the planning applications but we understand that the planners at EDDC are currently considering the various legal arguments on both sides.
We are still hopeful that they will do the right thing and reject these current ‘variations' to existing permissions that would see the removal of the seasonal status of the caravan park and fundamentally change the way the site operates.
The site is 'seasonal' both legally and in practice and this is the accepted and default position. It closes down for the winter months - as it has done since the site was first established in 1960. The current owners now want to remove the historic condition on the static vans that prevents winter occupation. If successful, this would pave the way for the construction of an initial 21 large luxury holiday lodges (currently being offered on the open market as second homes) and allow the site to be open 365 days a year - 24 hours a day!
This would obviously have a huge detrimental impact on the village in so many ways. The village only has around 25 homes - so these plans would nearly double the number of homes overnight!
The owners are attempting to get permission for this major change to the way the site operates via ‘variations’ to historic planning permissions and thus avoid the proper scrutiny of a full planning application.
The whole site is up for sale so removing any restrictive conditions will increase the value of their assets before they move on to their next project.
The campsite's agent argues that recent guidelines that encourage 'year round tourism' are justification for the planners to wave these applications through. We believe that new guidelines should not be allowed to override long-existing designations (Conservation Area, AONB, National Landscape, Coastal Protection Area) that were designed to protect this special place from this type of unwanted development and those who wish to exploit its natural beauty.
Please continue to share the petition to friends and family and on social media - let's show how much we care!
Thank you :)
Please note that the East Devon Local Plan 2020-2042 Regulation 19 Consultation is running until 9am on Monday 31st March 2025.
So there is still an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to carefully review the proposed policies and submit their own views to the independent planning review process.
What is currently happening here in the village has not been helped by ambiguous words or statements which are open to interpretation within the current plan. A lack of clarity results in opportunities for well-resourced developers to pick holes and take advantage of loosely worded policies.
If you wish to help defend the village (and other villages like Salcombe Regis) against unwelcome future planning developments - please take a look!