At a conference organised yesterday by the Devon WI (Our Changing Countryside. What does the future hold?), National Farmers’ Union (NFU) spokesman, Andrew Butler, warned of the dangers of “taking land out of the system, for urbanisation”.The NFU predicts increasing volatility in staples (rice, soya, wheat), leading to issues of food security and permanently rising food prices.There’s a need “to look more at the economic and social asset of farmland”, he said.
So the plan to lose two more East Devon farms to mass development seems seriously misguided. The urbanisation of Pinn Court Farm and Old Park Farm, (near Pinhoe and Westclyst), involves key players in the curiously collapsed East Devon Business Forum. What do EDDC officers think about this planning application? Details at this link:

http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/the-special-development-management-committee-meeting-express-and-echo/