Dawlish News

DAREsay

Following the rejection of the Teignbridge District Council Core Strategy, DARE has watched closely the scramble to develop land in Dawlish. Some residential developers have been awaiting the expected next stage of the process which would have identified available sites but in view of even longer delays now acknowledged in the planning process, plans are being submitted based on the 1996 adopted Local Plan.

DARE appreciates the urgent need for more local housing, but has concerns regarding the percentage of affordable housing proposed in any forthcoming development. This includes the application involving land near to Secmaton Lane. This is one part of a larger scheme for that location of which we have been aware for some time. DARE will hope to encourage the overall site to be sustainable by the provision of pedestrian and cycle routes also local bus services. We support TDC in its general intention to secure higher percentages of affordable housing but are also aware that there are economic arguments involved in the viability of any individual site. We were pleased to read the clarification of the term ‘affordable’ by Cllr Berman in the local press recently since this is something which has always been difficult to convey.

Another matter which DARE will be watching with interest is the modifications required in future homebuilding to minimise the effects of Climate Change, many of which were not included in the 1996 Local Plan since this was unheard of at that time. When the final Local Development Plan has been prepared and adopted such provisions will be included, but meanwhile we will study current planning applications to see whether any such modifications are being taken into account.

DARE has attended various ‘presentations’ regarding planning proposals, including those by representatives of the Tesco and Sainsbury supermarket chains. We are not in a position to take sides either ‘for’ or ‘against’ any such development but we do put forward the pros and cons, as far as we are able, regarding the planning procedures which govern them. Nevertheless DARE has been in communication with Dawlish Against Development of Sandy Lane (DADS) and we have been able to furnish useful information to them in their fight to retain land off Sandy Lane for leisure purposes.

We have concerns regarding the proposed use of designated employment land at Shutterton Bridge for a similar purpose since under forthcoming proposals there is a need to identify even more such land rather than lose some to an edge of town Supermarket. We are also concerned that such a development close to Dawlish Warren will intercept the tourists who normally come into Dawlish for top-up shopping, thereby affecting the viability of local shops. DARE believes that if the need for a local Supermarket is indeed proven, there are alternative potential sites. It will be interesting to see whether other leading operators will also come forward.


Among many other matters we study or take part in is the Exe Estuary Management Scheme and associated studies. We also recently attended a meeting at County Hall Exeter, concerning the future management of the coastline, which is of paramount importance in view of impending rising sea-levels and other climactic changes. As a direct result of matters raised at this meeting DARE and the Dawlish Warren Tourism Group jointly organised a talk by Mr Oscar Addyman, a retired Chartered Engineer. He was a member of the original team employed by the Devon Rivers Authority, which provided the planting and groyne system at the Warren some 37 years ago to protect the shore and retain the sandy beaches for which the Warren is famous. Sadly in recent months much damage has been caused which has led to the loss of sand, giving rise to concerns about the tourist industry based in that area and which is so important to Dawlish itself. We understand that a representative of the Environment Agency is to discuss matters with Mr Addyman who has much experience of management of the Warren coastline in particular. We sincerely hope that this will lead to improved protection of the beaches. DARE has also attended a presentation of the Shoreline Management Plan covering the area of Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

DARE is also in the process of studying the Teignbridge District Council Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan which you can access via their website and which will, once adopted, affect the area for many years to come.

We would also recommend that you visit the Dawlish Town Council website and study the Parish Strategy which has various proposals which you may find interesting and which you may or may not agree with.

If you feel that DARE works hard to bring to your attention matters of importance to the Town and its residents, we would invite you to become a member by contacting the Secretary at P.O. Box 42, Dawlish EX7 0XZ. Similarly, if you feel able to assist in our work in some way, we would be pleased to hear from you. You may also wish to visit our website www.darefordawlish.co.uk