You said, we listened
Placemaking
Bloor Homes have been committed to creating great places for many years.
The Government have also identified support for this approach through the National Design Guide, National Model Design Code and the National Planning Policy Framework latest update in 2023. We believe great placemaking at Littleham, Exmouth will lead to a strong legacy, add genuine value and reinforce the character of the locality. The National Design Guide (NDG) was published on 1 October 2019. The NDG addresses the question of how we recognise well-designed places, by outlining and illustrating the Government’s priorities in the form of ten characteristics. These characteristics work together in a mutually supporting way, interacting to create an overall character of place.
Putting place first will lead to the creationof a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable community where residents enjoy a high quality of life, surrounded by green spaces, access to modern amenities, and a strong sense of belonging.
Following our earlier consultations, what was proposed as a sustainable mobility hub/cafe will now instead be a community hub, to serve as a focal point for residents.
This will sit close to the existing Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route, off a new public space.
The proposals will respect and celebrate the heritage assets within proximity of the site, ensuring that the historical and cultural significance of the area is retained and valued for future generations.
A generous amount of green space will be interwoven throughout the development, providing a range of environments for relaxation, recreation, and connection with nature. These green areas will enhance the overall well- being of residents, promote an active lifestyle for all ages, and contribute to a sustainable, ecologically friendly bio - diverse environment. They will include 7.8 hectares of SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) which will help reduce the pressure on existing popular natural green spaces, to protect them for the future.
The proposal positively responds to the physical attributes of the site, including topography, mature trees and hedgerows, central landscape/cycle route corridor and the adjacent built environment context. As such it can become a seamless, sensitive and sustainable extension to Exmouth.
You said, we listened
Highways & Movement
Our initial ideas included the creation of a new roundabout on Salterton Road which would serve Liverton Business Park as well as the new development.
Many people told us the existing junction at the business park is not satisfactory and thought the roundabout proposal would be helpful.
We pursued this option and now have a more detailed proposal. It includes, as some members of the public suggested, a pedestrian and cycle crossing which would be controlled by traffic lights.
This crossing would sit to the west of the new roundabout. To the east, on the other side of the business park junction, would be an additional crossing point with a pedestrian refuge island. A footpath from here would lead directly into the new development.
The proposed roundabout has been assessed in capacity terms for the year 2035, accounting for traffic growth linked to this and other developments in the area.
Capacity has been assessed for weekday peak hours (8-9am and 4-5pm), as well as the peak hour on Saturday (11:45am-12:45pm). These assessments show that the roundabout works with wide available capacity in all scenarios, with, for example, a maximum of 58% of capacity heading towards Exmouth at the weekday morning peak.
The roundabout would be funded by us through a Section 106 agreement, so would not come at a cost to councils or local people.
Many people wanted to know how a crossing point between the existing cycle route and a new road to service properties in the south of the development would work.
We are proposing that cyclists and walkers using this existing route, which runs east to west, would have priority at this point.
This means any vehicles, including cycles, using the new north-south road would need to give way to anyone on the existing route.
There would be visual and physical changes to the road at this point to reinforce the traffic priorities.
To limit the amount of traffic using this junction, any parking associated with the nearby community hub would be to the north of the cycle route. It is not proposed that any bus route should use this junction.
Both Devon County Council and East Devon District Council have asked us to ensure that there is a second access which would be suitable for use by emergency vehicles should they need one.
We are proposing this should be to the west of the site. It would likely be shared with the route for pedestrians and cyclists linking into the northern part of Capel Lane.
The only motorised vehicles able to use this access would be from the emergency services. Normal traffic linked to the site could only use the new Salterton Road roundabout.
Alternatively, an emergency access could be though the employment area in the north west of the site.
You said, we listened
Landscape & Ecology
When the Land at Littleham site was selected for inclusion in the latest version of the draft East Devon Local Plan, its location was highlighted as being within part of theEast Devon National Landscape, previously known as the East Devon AONB.
The East Devon National Landscape team has recently been consulting on an updated Management Plan, recognising that among the drivers for change in the area is: “Increasing population and housing development within the National Landscape and its setting.” One of its principles is: “Any development and infrastructure affecting the National Landscape is sensitively planned and delivered to the highest quality, ensuring biodiversity net gain delivery that enhances the natural beauty of the landscape.”
The ecology of the site was the focus of much discussion during our earlier consultation.
As a result of your feedback we have:
Retained more of the focal trees on the site
Adjusted the development boundary to retain more existing hedgerows
Incorporated the community orchard
Accommodated an additional walking route through part of the SANG.
Therefore, it is important to us that the new development is carefully integrated into the National Landscape, protecting views from the site, as well as views into the site from elsewhere.
In our early discussions with the community, we said that built development should be located on the lower-lying ground to the east and south of the site, to protect the setting of existing homes, with employment space to the north adjacent to Salterton Road.
This is something our architects have been able to achieve, with much of the southern and western parts of the site designated for public open space and for SANG – Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace.
A community orchard was one of the suggestions put forward in the earlier consultation and we are proposing this be planted in the west, close to the existing cycle path.
We have also had exploratory discussions with the neighbouring St Margaret’s and St Andrew’s Church which requires additional space for a cemetery. As a result of those discussions, we have allocated land within the scheme for a civic cemetery adjacent to the existing burial grounds. This should provide enough space for the next 35-40 years.
You said, we listened
Flood risk & drainage
The great majority of the site is in Flood Zone 1, therefore at the lowest risk of flooding.
There are areas to the south of the site which are understood to be at a higher risk, and we are ensuring that development does not take place in these areas. When it comes to any new development, the starting point in any situation is that it should not make flood risk worse anywhere else.
What are called sustainable urban drainage systems, or SUDS, will be incorporated into this development. This means that the surface water drainage system will be effectively self-contained, and will not flow through pipes or culverts to existing watercourses.
Typically, a SUDS would incorporate a range of features such as ponds and basins, or soakaways, which store rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground naturally, rather than running off the surface.
Ponds and small areas of wetland would also provide fresh habitats and areas of increased biodiversity, helping nature, as well as new recreational areas for local people.
We are well aware that sewage has rarely been out of the headlines in Exmouth recently. We have already spoken to South West Water to make them aware of our proposals for this site.
We are working to understand SWW’s strategy for bringing forward necessary improvements in its infrastructure.
We have also been speaking with officers from both East Devon District Council, and Devon County Council who are the Lead Local Flood Authority.
The most recent issues have been caused by burst sewage pipes, and by storm overflows meaning sewage has been pumped out to sea when the system cannot cope with bad weather.
Our proposal for sewerage for this site is to connect into the local network, but with additional infrastructure such as a pumping station likely to be provided.
We are actively investigating ways in which this development can improve the situation for local people. We are continuing talks with South West Water and local authorities to see what can be achieved.
