Fight back against 'selfish millionaires' at beautiful UK tourist 'war zone'
One of the great joys of living beside the seaside is enjoying a stunning view of the sea from the comfort of your bedroom or living room but some residents in Salcombe, Devon, have been left fuming after their uninterrupted picturesque views have been taken away from them.
It was bad enough for some that they already had to deal with their town becoming a tourist 'war zone', in the summer months as people flock to the area for the stunning scenery, but now many are losing that which they bought their homes for - but it seems some aren't willing to go down too easily.
Residents in Britain's most expensive seaside town are attempting to fight back against millionaires building second homes by the harbour, blocking their views of the water. Instead of seeing the sea from their windows as they have done for years, they now look out onto the backs of the modern homes along the town's 'Millionaire's Row'.
Some residents have already lost their view of the sea (Getty Images)The issues were heightened in June when plans to demolish a seven-bedroom house and replace it with a five-storey home were given the green light by the local council. The house was bought for £3million back in 2020, and its owners hoped to redesign it with a brand new exterior made of contemporary materials that 'better fits their tastes'. Neighbours of the property fought back against the new house once plans were submitted, claiming that the new upper floors would block the "uninterrupted view across the water".
South Hams District Council sent the plans back to owners, along with a long list of conditions that must be met if it is to go ahead. The home lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and their intention to cover the building with white render and glazing was deemed to fall foul of protected local characteristics.
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Explaining their objection to the current plans, the local authority wrote: "Although the replacement dwelling would occupy a similar footprint to the existing, it was much larger and the mass would appear large when viewed from the estuary. The design had long swathes of white render and glazing which would have a negative impact on the AONB – these swathes needed to be broken up."
However, it seems there's little long-term residents can do about losing their views, as the local authority added that the planning system "does not recognise the right to a view" and that "while the view across the site may be altered", a refusal could not be issued to the plans solely on this basis.
And others in the area are already resigned to the changes being made by the mega-rich, as they feel the campaign against the new homes has come too late. Retiree Maureen Preston has told how her family's traditional bungalow, which was bought in the 1930s, has already been obstructed by a much larger home.
She told The Sun: "I have met the new owners of one of the houses and they are lovely people and will, I am sure, be good neighbours, and I do not in any way blame them for buying this new property which will afford them stunning views, which once we had. I know you cannot put a price on a view but it is likely that if we were to decide to sell our property, the asking price would, I suspect, be much lower than it would have been before it faced a grey and black block of new architecture."
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