Cllr Melanie Martin – where they stand

Where they stand

Against EXMO20

Ward councillor (not on the committee) who objected to the B3179 access on 4 February 2025 and said at SPC on 14 July 2026 that she objects to EXMO20 being in the Local Plan.

I'd like to make it clear that I object to EXMO20 in the Local PlanStrategic Planning Committee, 14 July 2026 · 01:24:45 ▶ · meeting page · States her objection to EXMO20 ('eczema 20' as transcribed).

it could be taken out altogether as the housing numbers would still be achievedStrategic Planning Committee, 14 July 2026 · 01:22:29 ▶ · meeting page · Says EXMO20 could be removed without losing the housing numbers.

I cannot understand why the idea of having an access onto this dangerous road is even being considered.Strategic Planning Committee, 4 February 2025 · 00:15:07 ▶ · meeting page · Earlier (4 February 2025) objected to the proposed B3179 access.

Everything they said about EXMO20 at the meetings

11 passages from the council recordings, in date order. Each time stamp plays the recording at that moment.

Strategic Planning Committee, 4 February 2025 (3)

I'm here today regarding the tracked changes to EXMO20 and to and my comments to those residents in my ward who reside in the Noah Hill, Dalditch, Lane and Tintong area. … I cannot understand why the idea of having an access onto this dangerous road is even being considered.00:14:31 ▶ · I. Admissions (24)

Firstly, there has been discussion about accessing this site from the B3179, a rural road that is dark and winding with a speed limit of 60 miles an hour. … The road has no paths, and there is no safe place to cross to the common. I have sat in strategic planning meetings and seen potential housing sites with safer roads rejected. I cannot understand why the idea of having an access onto this dangerous road is even being considered.00:15:07 ▶ · D. Deliverability: access, sewage, water, infrastructure, viability (“effective”) (125)

Secondly, I'm very concerned about the effects this access will have on the SSSI, which is a mere road's width away. … These habitats would be significantly disturbed if the Highway's Authority were to install street lighting. … To summarise, I cannot see how you can protect the dark landscape of the SSSI and install a safe vehicle access into this site00:15:49 ▶ · A. Habitats Regulations, Pebble Bed Heaths, air quality and ecology (126)

About this meeting · full transcript

Strategic Planning Committee, 14 July 2026 (8)

so last week I was at the meeting in Budleigh about EXMO20. it was a room packed full of people who were worried about the effects of building on the St John's in the wilderness site next to the Pebblebed Heaths01:21:45 ▶ · I. Admissions (24)

they passionately believe that building on this site will have a huge detrimental impact and that the EXMO20 allocation should be dropped … I feel like eddc are equally desperately trying to find ways to justify the development and make it fit into the plan the sad thing is it doesn't need to fit into the plan it could be taken out altogether as the housing numbers would still be achieved … I'd like to make it clear that I object to EXMO20 in the Local Plan01:22:12 ▶ · 4. Councillors admitting EXMO20 should not have been allocated, or that allocating it was a mistake (30)

I feel like eddc are equally desperately trying to find ways to justify the development and make it fit into the plan the sad thing is it doesn't need to fit into the plan it could be taken out altogether as the housing numbers would still be achieved01:22:29 ▶ · E. Housing numbers: need, headroom and buffers (59)

I was astounded by sections of the Ricardo consultants report it says quote further assessment of these areas is now needed to understand what habitats exist in these locations and how they would be affected01:23:04 ▶ · A. Habitats Regulations, Pebble Bed Heaths, air quality and ecology (126)

starting point should be that this development is inappropriate unless there are truly exceptional circumstances and this development it isn't critical to East Devon or the Local Plan.01:23:36 ▶ · A. Habitats Regulations, Pebble Bed Heaths, air quality and ecology (126)

EDDC called a climate emergency in 2019 and is now proposing a development that is harmful to wildlife, trees and nature. How does the EXMO20 development align with the council's climate change action plan?01:23:51 ▶ · H. Heritage and other (51)

And if you say, yes, you can tarmac over this ancient, beautiful habitat and put some houses up, the tough decision is standing up and saying no, and that is when you've called a climate emergency.01:24:33 ▶ · I. Admissions (24)

I'd like to make it clear that I object to EXMO20 in the Local Plan01:24:45 ▶ · 4. Councillors admitting EXMO20 should not have been allocated, or that allocating it was a mistake (30)

About this meeting · full transcript

How we decide where someone stands: our method. Anything wrong? Tell us and we'll correct it.