From comments on Sidmouth Independent News today:

The council has issued its revised screening opinion on the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). To no great surprise, they still maintain that there is no need for an EIA to be provided with this application, despite the potential cumulative effects of development at King Alfred Way (40 houses), Badger Close (46 houses, going to an appeal hearing on May 13th) and Waterleat (up to 17 houses) in the village.

Clinton Devon Estates’ proposed mitigation of the environmental impact of the development is to ‘manage access’ on the common, which Natural England have accepted. They have said that will be done through signposting and promotion of less sensitive routes, but personally I suspect that the recent fencing of the common with razor-sharp barbed wire is also intended to play a role.

Not only is the wire itself dangerous to walkers and dogs, but its purpose is to allow a herd of wild ponies to graze the common, including giving them unrestricted access across public footpaths. At times, these ponies will charge from one place to another as a herd, and woe betide anyone or anything that gets in their way. They are making the common increasingly unwelcoming to dog walkers, horse riders and walkers, especially those with young children, which is a great pity.