Many of you will be aware that the owners of the Devoncourt Hotel have submitted a slightly revised Planning Application, 26/1056/MFUL.

The Application ignores the great majority of the comments made by the Planning Inspector when the previous Application ( 22/1910/MFUL) was Appealed and Refused. It still proposes a built-over area exceeding 41%, well above the guideline in the Avenues Design Statement of 25%, and the reduced number of apartments are mainly at the expense of “affordable” flats, so that the percentage is also well below what is required from Major developments. In addition, in the week that Planning Permission was granted to the Cranford Club to ensure that their sports and leisure facilities will still be available to the people of Exmouth, the owners of the Devoncourt are proposing the opposite: the loss of all of the existing facilities.

TARA will be submitting comments and Objecting to the plans. We strongly encourage residents to also make individual comments on the Planning Portal. The closing date is July 24th.

The second Application is 26/1037/FUL, for the demolition of the house at 10 Elwyn Road.

Many of you will remember that the developer who bought that site immediately destroyed the many trees and habitats on the property. He also submitted plans in December of 2025 (24/2454/FUL) earlier this year to retain the house whilst constructing two “luxury homes” in the grounds.

He has now submitted plans to demolish the Edwardian house and proposes four “self-build” houses on the site which the plans suggest will be “block-type” modern buildings occupying the majority of the site and in a style entirely out of keeping with neighbouring houses. The plans suggest a build period of 30 months.

Elwyn Road is characterised by large, brick-built, Victorian and Edwardian properties and has a remarkably consistent look and feel. Even where large properties have changed from single- to multiple-use, their character has been retained. The road already experiences substantial on-street parking which can make access difficult at times.

TARA will be submitting comments to the Planning Portal and strongly encourage residents to do likewise. The closing date is July 24th.