A developer has put in an application for 300 houses on the land currently used for Lyme Regis’s summer park and ride scheme. The land is in East Devon but is adjacent to Lyme Regis. This was not in the last Local Plan and did not figure in the Current Local Plan.
The developer (Hallam Homes) had a poorly -advertised “consultation” exhibition in Lyme Regis recently but nowhere in East Devon. This is contrary to the requirement that a development in East Devon must be advertised “appropriately” within the district.
It may be that the villages of Uplyme and Rousdon do not think that this development will affect them. Think again. Today, it is one field on the A3052 but it is only a matter of time in this development-led era in East Devon that the current developers (or new ones) will decide to link up the parishes of Uplyme and Rousdon with the development now being planned. Before long this could be a new town the size of Cranbrook.
As an extension to Lyme Regis, this would totally be in East Devon and the Dorset economy would be stretched for doctors, dentists, schools, etc just as the East Devon economy would be stretched.
Is this “sustainable”? Who in their right mind would think so? Where are the jobs? How will people commute? Where is the necessary infrastructure?
This is the Jurassic Coast tourist route – already developers have their eye on the Exeter end of this road – how long before we have the road completely covered in a ribbon development of houses from Lyme to Exeter and from the A3o52 to Raymonds Hill?
East Devon Watch 
Thank you for highlighting the recent proposals mooted for the 44 acre site, promoted by Hallam Land and Savills on behalf of the Pinhay Estate, within the East Devon AONB north of the A3052, covering the area between Shire Lane and Gore Lane.
I hope some clarification might help the debate?
Whilst the ‘consultation’ event I attended at very short notice suggested ‘up to 350 houses’ with ‘greenspace’ and ‘sports facilities’ – to date I am not aware that any application has actually been submitted.
Whilst the site was promoted heavily in the recent Planning Inspectors hearings, it does not form part of the housing land allocation within the East Devon Local Plan (draft). It is however listed an ‘omission’ site. This is effectively where the site is/was promoted by developers and/or landowners, but not supported by the Council in its Local Plan.
The Uplyme area, including this site, had been identified by West Dorset DC in their draft Local Plan ‘aspirations’. The site has however been rejected in the East Devon SHLAA 2012 (revised 2013) and draft Villages Plan as ‘unsuitable’.
I am not aware of any other plans for, or evidence to support, the intensive development of the coastal AONB/Coastal Protection Zone/SSSI Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site coastal strip in Trinity Ward at the East of East Devon.
I attended several of the Planning Inspectors Sessions and whilst your dramatic suggestion in this article of ‘another Cranbrook’ will grab attention and raise emotions, I am deeply concerned that it risks unnecessary worry and distress to the Trinity residents and businesses I represent.
That suggestion was never presented, nor to the best of my knowledge was the possibility ever discussed, in any of the many Local Plan session I attended (as a non Member of the panel). Protection of our AONB and natural environment is a key priority for me. On that basis, I could not support such an eventuality, and would greatly appreciate copies of any detail or evidence which has lead you to that conclusion?
In the interim as local Ward Member, prior to any possible application being actually submitted, I have published ‘verbatim’ both the developers proposals used in the Lyme Regis consultation event, and the Parish Council responses, together with several articles on the Local Plan process, on my personal website at http://www.trinitymatters.co.uk – comment is invited.
Uplyme Parish Council has also recently resolved to fight development of the proposed site.
As further information becomes available, I will publish promptly and fully as before, both on TM and in the Uplyme Parish Magazine. An initial report will feature as my normal monthly article in the June edition.
Hope this is helpful?
Ian
Ward Member – Trinity Ward
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