Planning committee to consider Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme application

At its meeting on 8 January 2019, East Devon District Council’s Development Management Committee (DMC) will consider two planning applications (ref: 18/2174/MOUT and 18/2175/LBC) submitted by the Environment Agency for tidal flood defence works in Exmouth.

The proposal is a mixture of full and outline planning permission, as well as seeking separate listed building consent for associated strengthening and drainage works to the listed Exmouth Sea Wall.

The applications are recommended for approval by planning officers and members of DMC will debate and determine the applications at the meeting, which starts at 11am in the Council Chamber at Knowle in Sidmouth.

The works proposed by the Environment Agency will give added protection to Exmouth from tidal flooding and can be split into three distinct areas.

Area A extends from the boatyard to the north of Imperial Road car park, past Marks and Spencer’s and along the estuary side into the Imperial Recreation Ground and will involve some local land raising and a new sea defence wall.

Area B extends from the Imperial Recreation Ground at its western end around to Camperdown Terrace and again includes some raising of local land plus a curved flood defence wall and flood gates.

Area C extends from Mamhead Slipway along the length of the Esplanade to the Premier Inn and includes the strengthening of the existing sea wall and construction of a setback defence on the landward side of the Esplanade. The esplanade road will be undefended and will flood from water that overtops the existing sea wall.

Drainage will be installed to discharge this water back into the sea. Details of parts of a new sea wall to the front of Morton Crescent and across Alexandra Terrace road junction with the Esplanade are not included within the current application as they are subject to further detailed consideration and consultation by the Environment Agency.