The site

Following an initial consultation held in July 2022, followed by a second consultation held between November – December 2022, McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, and Porthaven, a market leading care home company, are pleased that they have submitted proposals for the redevelopment of The Knowle, Sidmouth.

The proposals feature a purpose-built care home, Extra Care and age-restricted Retirement Living accommodation as well as four semi-detached houses, three townhouses and two chalet bungalows.

The site lies north-east of the seafront and town centre, within a residential area of Sidmouth. It is bounded by a publicly accessible open space referred to as ‘The Knowle’ which is characterised by its parkland and mature trees.

To the East of The Knowle runs Station Road, a primary access route into Sidmouth. To the North and West of the site are a series of 1- and 2- storey detached residential properties which front onto The Broadway and Knowle Drive.

The site currently comprises of a collection of buildings previously used by East Devon District Council, who have since relocated as they deemed the buildings no longer suitable and unfit for repair.

The site has existing planning permission for a C2 assisted development, however, it is important to McCarthy Stone and Porthaven that the revised proposals respond to the concerns raised by the community as part of the original planning consent and that our proposals have incorporated feedback received from the consultation held in Summer 2022.