Fuming locals have slammed a newbuild in a picturesque seaside village beloved by holidaymakers.
The owners of Sheerwater, on Salcombe’s Millionaire’s Row, encountered setbacks with two previous planning applications that were rejected. They had purchased the property after just a brief 15-minute viewing.
But now a third application for the ‘slab-like, brutal, clumsy and dull’ newbuild in Devon has been approved by a single vote.
Despite facing persistent opposition, South Hams Council eventually approved the demolition of a rose-colored home to make space for the newbuild. The decision came by a close margin of six votes to five.
The three-storey replacement will have stunning views of the bay – as well as an indoor swimming pool.
Neighbours spoke to MailOnline on the condition of anonymity as they were scared of local repercussions.
Some said the planned home would be out of character with the rest of the picturesque village.
A local resident, who owned a second home and was visiting for Easter with family, expressed frustration at the trend of properties being bought up and left vacant for the majority of the year. The sentiment of locals feeling disheartened by this situation was shared.
Pictured: The ‘slab-like, brutal, clumsy and dull’ newbuild set to be built in Salcombe, Devon
The current home is a rose-coloured home in a more traditional style (pictured)
The seaside village of Salcombe is a much-loved holiday destination for Britons around the country
He added: ‘They have said that it’s going to be their forever home so I guess we have to take that on face value.
‘I think the couple who own the property are doing it as a Grand Designs.
‘My understanding is that they’re local. We had concerns about the impact of the view from the street but that’s been addressed in subsequent planning.
‘If it is their former home , good luck to them – as long as it’s not having an impact on anyone else in the area.
‘I think what’s quite nice about the Salcombe scene is that it’s a tapestry of different styles.
One of their future neighbours told MailOnline the village had to some extent already become a ghost town.
He said: ‘It may be distinctive but not necessarily a strong addition to the landscape.’
Another man, who had just arrived for a stay in their second home, said: ‘Nobody lives here all the time. It’s deserted in the winter.
People don’t live in this bit, they live further back.’
Even on a rainy day, the views from Sheerwater were sublime, with a stunning vantage point above the Kingsbridge Estuary
Pictured: The sign for Sheerwater was covered by a metal barrier when MailOnline visited
The Salcombe home, which is seemingly uninhabited at the moment, has a large driveway
Sheerwater’s owners said:Â ‘We purchased Sheerwater on the first day of the second lockdown, having only had the opportunity to view it for 15 minutes’
Another neighbour said: ‘The people who come and don’t use it very often – that’s a shame.
‘It’s 25,000 [people] in summer, 2,000 in winter.
‘All the lights are on in [homes at the top of the hillside] – people who can’t afford the front properties.’
During the meeting to confirm the latest application, Councillor Simon Rake said it was not environmentally savvy to knock down a functioning home and replace it with a new build.
He added: ‘We try and do the right thing, and then to compromise to this extent feels like banging one’s head against a brick wall.’
Cllr Mark Long said: ‘I’m pleased there have been changes, and I’m not saying this is an abomination, but the design is still not good enough.’
Not all councillors were against the plans though. Cllr Guy Pannell said: ‘I think it fits in well. It is much less intrusive than what is there now and I see no problem in not having yet another white-rendered stark building. A lot of thought has gone into it.’
Locals told MailOnline Salcombe’s population swells to 25,000 people in summer
The village boasts a stunning bay on the south coast of England and is in South Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
In a statement to the council, Sheerwater’s owners said: ‘We are not Americans, nor property developers.
‘We purchased Sheerwater on the first day of the second lockdown, having only had the opportunity to view it for 15 minutes before making that purchase decision.
‘It is a substantial property with eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and is set over 16 internal levels. Built in the 50s it has been added to many times, which probably contributes to the incoherent layout of rooms and levels.
‘It is highly energy in-efficient, leaks, has three boilers (although only one works), and many of the double glazed window units have failed.
‘We have looked at many options to make the building fit for the 21st century and beyond, with a more maintainable and energy efficient building, which is importantly not over 16 different levels.Â
‘Fundamentally, we just want to build a permanent family home that can be lived in and enjoyed.’
