New Devon town could shun South West Water as alternative providers considered
Planners say new homes will not be allowed if they result in 'pollution on the beaches'
Last updated 19th Sep 2025
Documents being released today could pave the way for Devon to get a new town which doesn't rely on South West Water.
We already know the 8,000 home development near the airport will be called Marlcombe, following a public vote.
East Devon Councillor Todd Olive says they're now looking at whether an alternative water provider is feasible and hope to have answer within months.
The Lib Dem cabinet member for place, infrastructure and strategic planning. said: "We've been aware as East Devon District Council for a couple of years now that we have really serious problems with waste water treatment in East Devon.
"I believe three of the top 10 worst performing combined sewage overflows in the country are in East Devon. The worst one is just east of Sidmouth and we know we have a real problem with the sewage network during heavy rainfall events.
"The emerging evidence and in our conversations with South West Water is pretty clear we know the west end of East Devon - on the periphery of Exeter on its eastern side - needs a new treatment works.
"That's been true for a little while and South West Water are quite clear on it themselves so we know there's a need for additional sewage capacity in the area and we are absolutely clear as the planning authority that no new settlement that we're designating through the local plan is going to make that situation worse.
"Fundamentally we need a solution for sewage treatment for Marlcombe and if South West Water can't deliver a new sewage treatment works in time to provide that capacity then we need to have an alternative ready.
"Absolutely the last thing we want to do is start occupying houses in our new town which ends up with more sewage on the beach."
It is unclear if another existing water form would be invited to bid for the contract or a not-for-profit-type community group could run the facility - with officials now looking into economies of scale and potential value for money for customers.
Ian Lake, head of solution development & technical performance at South West Water, said: “We have been liaising with the East Devon District Council for a number of months and will continue to keep them updated throughout the development of the delivery plans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for the new community of Marlcombe.
“We are confident we can meet the necessary requirements for these services.”
A link to the planning meeting on September 30 can be found here
Why Marlcombe?
The name Marlcombe appeared on 17th-century tithe maps describing part of this exact site. Restoring it brings back an authentic local place name, giving the town a strong identity rooted in its history while looking to the future.
Other shortlisted names were Newton Clyst, Willowcrest, and Clysthope, each reflecting different aspects of the area’s story. There's more about the naming competition here