Devoncourt Hotel, 16 Douglas Avenue, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2EX

Planning appeal 3355976 at Devoncourt Hotel, 16 Douglas Avenue, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2EX (East Devon District Council) was dismissed on 15 May 2025 by Inspector Nicholls H, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effects of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers of Blair Athol and No 14A Douglas Avenue, with particular regard to privacy and outlook.

demolition of the existing Devoncourt building and outbuildings, construction of 51 open market and 15 affordable residential apartments and new 65 bed hotel with access via Maer Road car park, associated car parking and landscaping works

Authority: East Devon District Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: residential · Major dwellings
Inspector: Nicholls H
Postcode: EX8 2EX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effects of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers of Blair Athol and No 14A Douglas Avenue, with particular regard to privacy and outlook
the effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area

What decided it

The harm to the living conditions of the occupiers of No 14A Douglas Avenue, combined with harm to the character and appearance of the area, was not outweighed by the benefits of the scheme even under the tilted balance.

The benefits of housing delivery, affordable housing, sustainable site reuse and modest economic and other benefits did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the harm to living conditions and character and appearance, so the tilted balance did not favour granting permission.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy D1Policy EB2
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.