'Our town is being ruined by selfish millionaires whose homes block our views'
Residents in Britain's most expensive seaside town have launched an extraordinary fightback against millionaire second home owners who block their view of the sea.
Salcombe in Devon is the priciest coastal location to buy a property, according to recent analysis, and locals say the rush of mega-rich newcomers is affecting picturesque vistas that have stayed the same for generations.
Some have complained that new houses built along the town's 'Millionaire's Row' have left their windows facing the back of swanky modern houses, rather than the harbour.
It has prompted others in the town to try their hardest to avoid the same fate.
Some residents claim their homes now face the back of super-modern homes, rather than the harbour (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Late last month, plans to demolish a seven-bedroom house and replace it with a five-storey home were given a thumbs down by the local council.
London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard
The house was bought for £3million in 2020, and its owners hoped to redesign it with a brand new exterior made of contemporary materials that 'better fits their tastes'.
Neighbours however mounted a passionate campaign against the new house once plans had been submitted, and claimed that the new upper floors would block the "uninterrupted view across the water".
For other local people however this move against the new developments has come too late, and retiree Maureen Preston said that her family's traditional bungalow bought in the 1930s is now 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."
South Hams District Council have 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.
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."
They did note however 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.
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