Drive through Axmouth today and you will see the road lined with Listed Buildings, Grade 1 and Grade2.

All now carry signs attached by local residents. Axmouth is under clear and obvious threat from the impact of HGV traffic, associated with the Seaton Regeneration project. Many of these buildings lack proper foundations and have utilities of a bygone age, totally unsuitable for the pressures of modern HGV traffic. On Pound Hill houses open directly onto the narrow road, on the inside of a blind bend, lacking a pavement and within six inches of the path of heavy goods vehicles.

EDDC have added their protection by the Conditioning of the Tesco Pipeline Application that all traffic to and from the site should not pass through Axmouth, the same conditioning is pledged for all future material applications on the site. 

Tesco as applicants have reduced the road borne infill materials from 7,000 HGV loads to zero.

Neil Parish, our MP has pledged his support for a 7.5tonne weight limit to protect Axmouth in his visit to see the problem for himself on 23rd February 

By way of light relief we add a quote which encapsulates the character of Axmouth.
(Source : Axmouth : A Historic Village, From W.G. Hoskyns: “Devon” (in his survey of England series))

“One could spend a pleasurable week of exploration in and around this delectable little place, which always looks so inviting at any time of the year across the emerald marches of the River Axe.....”
“The present village is most attractive, with a number of excellent farmhouses and cottages of 16th-17th century date. Two or three are notable examples of Elizabethan domestic building”

A contemporary view concurs – according to the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

"The peace and tranquility of 20th Century Axmouth are sufficient reasons for visiting this picturesque East Devon village with its Norman church, quaint cottages and two fine houses, dating from the 15th and 17th centuries."

All this is now under threat.....

In Church Street;

Harbour Inn
c17 stone rubble and thatch.

Victoria House (formerly known as Riverside)
Early 19th Century.

Pottery Cottage (No 48)
c18 cob and thatch.

36 Pound Hill
c18 stone rubble cottage.

37 Pound Hill
c18 stone rubble cottage.

Axe Farmhouse
Early c16 former open hall house. Stone rubble and thatch. Tudor arch doorway, plank & muntin screen. Stopped chamfer beams.

Rustic Cottage
c17 stone rubble.

Corner House
Early c19 stone rubble.

38 Church Street
c16. Stone, cross passage, heavy ceiling beam with deep chamfer and stops. Doorway with heavy chamfered frame and cambered arch.

39 Church Street
Early/mid c19. Stone rubble.

40 Church Street
Early/mid c19. Stone rubble.

41 Church Street
c16 or early c17. Stone rubble and thatch. Wood mullion windows. Chamfered lintel on door.

42 Church Street
c16 or early c17. Stone rubble and thatch. Wood mullion windows. Chamfered lintel on door.

43 Church Street
Early c19. Stone Rubble

Brook House
Early c19

Village Hall
c1840 former village school, stone rubble.

St Michaels Church
c12 onwards. - Listed Grade 1

In addition to properties formally listed, other buildings on Church Street, eg The Ship Inn, The Gatehouse to Stedcombe House (Stedcombe House is listed at Grade 2 star), and the WW2 pill-box close to Coronation Corner are considered 'unlisted Heritage Assets'. It is the responsibility (not an option!) under PPS5 on the Local Authority to ensure the protection of these valuable demonstrations of our heritage.

These ancient buildings have drainage and utility systems typical of a bygone age and, together with their construction techniques, are ill capable of withstanding the incessant pressures of the rumble of 21st century large commercial vehicles.

Other Listed Buildings within 50 metres of the proposed route.

Old Axmouth Bridge (Grade 2 star)
1877 - The first concrete bridge in England.

Toll House (Bridge Cottage)
Contemporary and adjacent to the bridge, also concrete.

The Old Vicarage
Early c19

In total there are 20 listed buildings affected by traffic through Axmouth, 17 directly facing onto the route itself and three further within 50 meters. In addition there are several unlisted Heritage Assets. This information has been checked on 1st February 2011, against the English Heritage Database, by Parish Council Member Crescy Cannan who originally compiled this list.

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