Revised plans for six new homes on former Sidmouth social club site gain town council backing

New proposals would see the addition of balconies on four properties, prompting concern from some residents

Revised plans for six new homes on the site of a former Sidmouth social club – to include balconies on four properties - have gained town council backing.

Amendments to the Winslade Road development proposals were met with objections from some residents, who branded the addition of outdoor terraces an ‘eyesore’ and raised fears about the potential for noise pollution.

Parking space provision for the properties has also been increased from the initial application – which has already been granted permission - prompting concerns as to whether there will be adequate space for vehicles to turn on the road.

Members of the town council’s planning committee last week concluded that the amended plans ‘improve the livability’ of the one-bedroom apartments. Members unanimously agreed to support the proposals.

Councillor John Rayson said: “It’s obviously a prime site for development and one-bed apartments are needed in Sidmouth. I’m surprised there are objections about noise, because, when it was a club, they used to have music playing on a Saturday night.

“They seem to have improved access since it was considered.”

Plans to demolish the once-popular Winslade Central Club after almost seven decades and build six new apartments were first submitted in 2013, when they met with a mixed response and prompted concerns about traffic congestion.

The applicant, Lite Homes Limited, states the balconies will not overlook neighbouring properties due to a bank. It says it has acquired an additional strip of land to allow more room for cars and trucks in the road.

The internal layout of four of the homes has also been changed under the revised proposals to incorporate bedrooms upstairs and living quarters downstairs.

Cllr Ian McKenzie-Edwards said: “I would say the amendments improve the livability of these apartments. I’m glad they have increased the number of parking spaces.”

Cllr Simon Pollentine added his agreement and said there were certainly plenty of ‘noisy nights’ when the site was a social club.

A total of five objections were lodged with East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) planning department, stating concerns over ‘disagreeable level of noise’, vehicle access, overdevelopment of the site and privacy.

EDDC will have the final say on whether or not to approve the amended plans.