Whatever the views of Sal­combe Town Council regarding the proposed development on Onslow Road, I write as the owner of 9 Knowle Court, the property most affected by this proposal.

The plans show two four-storey blocks sited 15ft from my rear fence and with overlooking balconies only 9ft from the fence.

A similarly placed third block will be behind my neighbour at 10 Knowle Court. I have four main objections:

1) The steeply sloping nature of the land between Onslow and Knowle Roads means that these four-storey blocks equate to seven-storey blocks built on flat land and they will appear as such from our property.

They will be able to look directly into our bedroom, bathroom, living room and rear patio from their balconies and as such represent a huge invasion of our privacy.

2) The developer’s latest revision of his plans show that he has reduced the roof height by 30 cms but not the height of the overlooking balconies.

Despite this reduction in roof height these blocks will loom over us blocking out sunlight for most of the year and will be an absolute eyesore when viewed from the Batson direction.

3) There are problems with the geology of the area and the drainage problems that rainfall run off from this development will cause. This steep site has slopes averaging 30 per cent and in places reaching 45 per cent.

An independent survey has questioned whether the development can ever be safely built here as run off can create long term problems of landslip into our properties.

Certainly extensive tests need to be carried out on this unstable and rocky ground with an uncertain water table but the developer has decided not to undertake such a survey.

4) The exit from the proposed development will be on the very narrow part of Onslow Rd exactly where traffic regularly has to mount the pavement to pass.

Exiting into the fast moving traffic will be an accident waiting to happen.

Lastly it is disingenuous to say that these will be affordable local homes for local people. Their design with very little outdoor space suggests that they are aimed at the second home/holiday let market to afford the developer a maximum profit.

A quick look at the likely cost of development on this difficult site with poor access, not to mention the all important developer’s profit, suggest that these properties will be far from affordable and well out of the reach of local people looking for a first home.

John Sprague

Knowle Road, Salcombe