The proposed East Devon Local Plan policy would ‘limit development in areas deemed to be at significant risk of coastal erosion’ [East Devon News]
Local residents have also expressed concerns that the policy does not take into account the upcoming £21 million beach management scheme, which is anticipated to lessen the risk of erosion. [Daily Express]
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There are substantial cliff falls regularly happening near Sidmouth – with another ‘huge’ cliff fall closing a footpath on Salcombe Hill in November, another large rockfall happening at Port Royal in March, and a huge dust plume being sent up after multiple falls in one day in May at Jacob’s Ladder.
Meanwhile, we are informed that work to protect Sidmouth from floods and cliff falls is to start in 2027 – following on from the recent Beach Management Scheme Advisory Group meeting back in May.
But those living on top of the cliffs still have to live with the current situation – and this week, residents have hit back on plans to ban building on Cliff Road in Sidmouth:
A so-called coastal change management area, or CCMA, has been suggested for parts of Sidmouth within a major East Devon-wide plan that seeks to map out development in the district for almost two decades. The CCMA, which would aim to limit development in areas deemed to be at significant risk of coastal erosion, would mean that proposals for new residential development, including the conversion of existing buildings, would not be permitte
However, the mooted CCMA, included in East Devon District Council’s draft local plan, has faced vocal opposition from residents in a public consultation as well as at a meeting of the strategic planning committee overseeing the strategy. In the public consultation, there was “strong opposition” from residents and landowners in Sidmouth, particularly Cliff Road, who argued the CCMA was based on flawed and inconsistent erosion data.
The dismay of local people has now reached the national press, with today’s Daily Express reporting on “Panic in beautiful UK seaside town as £1m homes set to fall off cliff “:
A row of houses on the edge of famous cliffs are losing large chunks of gardens to the sea over the years.
Homeowners living increasingly on the edge of a cliff have been left panicked by fresh council proposals that might prevent them from undertaking even the most basic building modifications – due to erosion concerns. People residing on Cliff Road claim upcoming regulations could stop them from completing fundamental renovations to their homes – simply because of where they’re situated.
Paul Griew, leader of the Cliff Road Action Group, lost an entire summerhouse in 2017 when it fell into the sea. Having resided on Cliff Road for 27 years, he revealed his home is situated 40 metres away from the eroding cliff edge. He highlighted that there are 15 homes within the proposed Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA), which East Devon Council believes “are at risk of being eroded in the next 100 years.”
Local residents have also expressed concerns that the policy does not take into account the upcoming £21 million beach management scheme, which is anticipated to lessen the risk of erosion. Mr Griew further suggested that once the beach management plan is completed in 2027, the CCMA should no longer be necessary.
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