Sewage concerns raised as new Devon homes site rejected

Concerns have been raised about the impact of 42 homes proposed for Lympstone on the sewage network

Plans to build more than 40 homes in a Devon village have been refused amid councillors’ concerns about failures in the sewage network.

The 3West development company wanted to build 42 homes on fields at Lympstone.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) members said they were extremely worried the homes would be on the same sewage network as Exmouth where there have been repeated sewage leaks.

Councillors did not cite concerns over sewage as a reason to refuse the application and instead cited the location and design of the site, the distance to local services and the presence of mature trees.

Tankers have been in Exmouth pumping out sewage from a system that has been unable to cope

• Environment Agency considers action over spill

The beach was closed to swimmers in Exmouth on Saturday and Sunday after a sewage leak caused untreated sewage to be pumped out into the sea.

The developer 3West wanted to build 42 homes - including 14 classed as affordable - on fields on the edge of Lympstone, off Meeting Lane.

EDDC planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval.

Several members of the public spoke out against the scheme citing concerns about highways, flooding and pressure on local health and education services.

Councillors on the planning committee first voted not to approve the plans but there was then a period of confusion where they struggled to list reasons for refusal.

The meeting heard the plans would have been subject to a "Grampian condition" being put in place - a planning term which would prohibit development until a specified action has been taken, such as the provision of supporting infrastructure.

Following the meeting David Matthews from 3West said his firm would be considering their options going forward.