As of October 2022, Seabrook Orchards Residents Group (SORG) has a mailing list of 150 households, and the start of a website.  Newly co-opted members have brought extra management consultancy and civil engineering experience to our Executive.

Ultimately we expect Seabrook to comprise up to 700 homes, half of which are yet to be built.

Roads in Phase 1 have been resurfaced, but are yet to be adopted. A children’s playground, and a Co Cars/Co Bikes station on Dart Avenue are both now operational.

Current building work on Phase 2a is almost complete, but we then expect a delay pending proposed undergrounding of the power line crossing Phase 2b.

Phase 3 will comprise “Seabrook Square” hopefully including a community hall and café.

Eventually Seabrook will include a wide range of communal facilities including Seabrook Square, streamside walk, children’s play areas, M5 sound barrier, sports pitches and allotments. SORG is working to seek clarity on timescales and responsibilities for these “managed areas”. We have had meetings with Michael Dart of Seabrook Orchards Management Company and with our Topsham Councillors, and have corresponded with Bloor Homes and Exeter City Planners.

Current issues of concern include:

• The M5 sound barrier. We are in discussion with Exeter Planners and Bloor about the lack of required tree planting.
• The strip of land preventing vehicular access between Vernon Crescent and Fish Street. We are seeking a dialogue with the owners of this “ransom strip”.
• Communal “Managed Areas”. Local residents need an effective voice in decision making about these facilities.
• Financial compensation for non delivery of a Seabrook health facility. Will this be ring fenced for health services in the Topsham/Glasshouse Lane area?

Thank you to the NCA, local Councillors and many residents who are helping us speak for the local community. If you live in Seabrook Orchards and are not yet on our mailing list, please contact us at [email protected] or fill in the form below. We would be delighted to keep you posted and involved in on-going developments.

Nat Baker, Jon Goldsworthy, Annabel Harris, Ed Rashbrooke, Andrew Sails (SORG Executive Committee)