Open questions
Gaps in the infrastructure evidence
In September 2026 Exmouth's MP wrote to the utilities and public services asking whether local infrastructure can support EXMO20 and other planned growth. Several of the replies say that the evidence, the modelling or the funding isn't in place yet. Here are those points, in the bodies' own words.
This page picks out the replies that point to gaps. Other replies, from the water company, the electricity network and the fire service, say there is currently capacity. They are on the MP's EXMO_20 page with all the others, and we'd encourage you to read them too. We haven't seen the letters the MP sent, so we don't know exactly what each body was asked. Each short quote is exactly as written, and the link beside it opens the full reply.
What the replies add up to
Taken together, the replies say that, as things stand:
- Water: the Environment Agency says the Water Cycle Study does not yet provide sufficient evidence that all of the growth can be delivered sustainably.
- Roads: Devon County Council says detailed modelling of the local roads and junctions around the site has not been done.
- Health: the NHS trust says there is currently no mechanism for the impact on its services to be recognised in planning, so no funds are allocated to it.
- Buses: Stagecoach has made no commitment to new routes or extra services.
- Consultation: the Environment Agency and Devon & Cornwall Police both say they have not yet been formally consulted on a planning application. Devon County Council says none has been submitted.
Each point is explained below, with the quote and a link to the reply. We aren't saying anyone has done anything wrong, only that these questions are still open.
No firm evidence yet on the water environment
Environment Agency (5 November 2026)
significant elements of the study require further work and that it does not currently provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that all aspects of the proposed growth strategy can be delivered sustainably
About the Water Cycle Study that supports the Local Plan
- It says it has not yet been consulted by the District Council on a planning application for the site.
- It asks for clarity on the capacity of wastewater treatment works and sewer networks, the timing and delivery of South West Water's upgrades, the effect of extra discharges on rivers, estuaries, bathing waters and shellfish waters, cumulative impacts, and phasing development to match infrastructure.
- It says wastewater improvements should be provided
alongside development rather than retrospectively
. - Its principal concerns with the Local Plan include
water quality, wastewater infrastructure capacity, flood risk and the cumulative environmental impacts of planned growth across East Devon
.
No money yet for the NHS
NHS: Royal Devon University Healthcare (3 November 2026)
Until EDDC accepts our methodology or rationale for assessing the impact there is no mechanism for impact of housing developments on the NHS acute and community services to be recognised during the planning process.
Chief Executive's office, Royal Devon University Healthcare
- Its modelling is that around 1,455 new homes across Exmouth, about 700 of them EXMO20,
could result in around 3,186 additional residents
, which wouldincrease demand on local NHS services
. - It says that until an approach is agreed,
every planning application that is submitted and approved
meansthere are not funds allocating to the NHS to mitigate the impact
.
No detailed road modelling yet
Devon County Council, Highways (October 2026)
detailed transport modelling of the local road network and junctions surrounding the site has not yet been undertaken
Devon County Council on EXMO20
- The strategic traffic model assessment
is not sufficiently detailed to determine the effects on individual roads and junctions within Exmouth itself
. - It is still preparing an Exmouth Access Strategy, and has told the site promoters that
a number of junctions in Exmouth and the surrounding area require investigation
. - For fairness: it says
these impacts can be appropriately managed through a package of transport and highway improvements
, and that is why it hasn't objected to the site's inclusion in the draft Local Plan.
Stagecoach South West (September 2026)
the requirement for additional routes, increased frequencies or extra vehicles will depend on the final scale, location and phasing of development
Stagecoach South West
It makes no commitment to new routes or more frequent services, and says it expects the District Council to work with developers and the highway authority to identify what is needed.
Not yet consulted, and a school gap still to fill
Devon & Cornwall Police (October 2026)
It says we have yet to be formally consulted on this specific planning application
. Only once it is will it assess the likely demand for policing and consider whether to seek developer contributions.
Devon County Council, Education (October 2026)
For secondary education, the evidence indicates that additional capacity will be required to support the growth proposed through the emerging Local Plan.
Devon County Council, Education
It says that capacity will come from a proposed education campus at Marlcombe and a review of designated areas, and that it is satisfied
the needs can be mitigated. It says primary capacity is sufficient.
Not yet published
The MP's slides say he also wrote to NHS Devon, the South Western Ambulance Service, Wales & West Utilities, Openreach, Network Rail, Great Western Railway and East Devon District Council. No replies from them have been published on his page yet. We'll add them if they appear.
Last checked 12 November 2026. These are the organisations' own statements, shown without comment. They are not legal advice. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.