Rockfish approved for Sidmouth - again!

Previous planning permission had lapsed

A £1 million-plus jobs-boosting waterfront restaurant for Sidmouth is back on the menu after a lengthy delay.

Top seafood chef Mitch Tonks will create up to 40 full and part-time jobs with a new Rockfish restaurant on the site of the old Drill Hall on the Esplanade.

The property has been empty for several years, and Rockfish’s interest in it goes back way before covid. The company has a 125-year lease and previously received planning permission to convert it into a restaurant, which has now lapsed. A new one has now been submitted to East Devon District Council.

Rockfish says: “With our proven track record and our focus on quality, family and sustainability, we believe Rockfish is the right fit for Sidmouth which being by the water will provide a perfect destination for people to travel to and eat fresh seafood.”

Mr Tonks wants to demolish the rear extension and public lavatories to create a restaurant bar extension, a new public toilet block, plus an external terrace to form a seating area.

The latest application has already received a number of public comments, for and against. Supporters say the plans are ‘excellent’ and will clean up the run-down Port Royal area.

Objectors are concerned about the loss of sheltered seating and public toilets.

Other applications on the latest weekly list from East Devon District Council include:

Certificate of Lawful Development for an area of land at Wheelgates used as a residential garden for a continuous period of more than 10 years – Wheelgates Cotleigh

Covered farmyard manure store – Wadhayes Farm Awliscombe 

Proposed loft conversion – Sunbeams Rhode Lane Uplyme

Lawful Development Certificate for construction of single storey rear extension – 51 Millers Way Honiton

Construction of a replacement dwelling in pursuant to planning approval – Hand And Pen Garage London Road Whimple 

Outline application with all matters reserved for a permanent rural occupational dwelling to serve an established equestrian centre – Upton Pyne Equestrian Centre Seychelles Farm Upton Pyne Exeter

Lawful Development Certificate for a single storey rear extension – 1 Rosedale Terrace Colyford Road Seaton

Proposed single storey extension in place of existing timber structure – The White House Rosemary Lane Musbury 

Two storey rear extension with associated alterations to the existing cottage – Lilac Cottage Whitford Road Musbury

Proposed new dwelling to the rear  – 37 Alexandria Road Sidmouth

Demolition of existing rear single storey extensions and conservatory and erection of two storey rear extension – Bulstone Mead Branscombe

Change of use of part ground floor to living accommodation including change in fenestration – Sidmouth Garage Connaught Road Sidmouth 

Installation of a main entrance sign to the access of a new cats adoption centre – Axhayes Cattery Clyst Honiton 

Conversion of garage and store room to create extension – Clarence House The Butts Colyton

Variation of condition no. 1 of planning permission (Change of use of redundant barn to holiday cottage) to allow for the removal of condition no. 1 in relation to planning permission to enable the holiday home to be used for residential purposes – Orchard Cottage Apple Barrel Barn Dunkeswell Abbey 

Works to rear east elevation to include: replace roof and install rooflight on (primary lean-to); remove existing (secondary lean-to) and construct new extension; replace render on (primary lean-to); replace 1no. window on (primary lean-to) south elevation; elevation and replace guttering and downpipe on main house on south and east elevation and internal alterations to ground floor layout – Charnwood Payhembury

Development of 17 commercial units  – Coastguard Road Ltd Devonshire Road Heathpark Industrial Estate Honiton 

Erection of a detached two storey dwelling, detached garage and wildlife lake with associated landscaping – Land North Of Higher Griggs Farm Fortescue Road Sidmouth

Demolition of existing garage, new two storey side extension and Juliette balcony, new porch and decking to rear – Graves End House Village Road Woodbury Salterton

Proposed side extension to garage, formation of covered bin store, replacement external stairs, formation of two dormer windows on the front elevation and flat roof dormer on the rear elevation to facilitate the formation of an en-suite bathroom in the garage loft space – Perky Pool Cottage Talaton Road Whimple

Demolition of internal wall, removal of roof to existing extension, construction of new extension with parapet and roof lanterns – The Lodge Gittisham Honiton