Is it appropriate for a developer to arrange a parliamentary candidates meeting for 15 people who bought their flats?

Anyone else think this is poor judgment on the part of candidates to accept an invitation to talk to just 15 of his leasehold occupiers about issues of the day?

“Issues affecting Devon’s older population were put firmly on the pre-election agenda at a special event in Honiton hosted by Churchill Retirement Living.

The specialist developer invited the local MP Neil Parish and representatives from each of the main political parties to meet with existing and prospective Owners at Holyshute Lodge in Honiton and address the issues important to them in a lively ‘Question Time’ style debate.

The events come on the back of a recent survey by the retirement developer, which found that three-quarters of over-60s believe they are “unseen and unheard” by the major political parties, while one in ten are so disenfranchised that they aren’t certain they’ll vote in this year’s general election.

Over 15 voters aged 60 and above attended the event to put their questions to Neil Parish MP (Conservative) and Labour candidate Caroline Kolek. Topics raised included the privatisation of the NHS, immigration and social care policy.”

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Issues-affecting-Devon-elderly-discussed-Honiton/story-26290408-detail/story.html

East Devon Alliance reveals more Independent candidates each day

Rsgistration to stand for council or as an MP ends on Friday. Will the bookies open bets on how many Independent candidates will stand – probably too late.

Twelve standing under the EDA umbrella announced so far … and more rumoured to follow over the next few days.

Big changes ahead for East Devon which has never seen such choice before.

http://www.eastdevonalliance.org.uk/candidates/

“English Heritage” splits in two today

One section to conserve buildings, one to give “planning advice”.

“The government has confirmed that its heritage advisor, English Heritage, will be split into two separate organisations, with a new body, Historic England, taking on planning and heritage protection responsibilities.”

Oh dear – anyone else fear for our historic buildings?

http://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1317154/new-body-english-heritage-planning-responsibilities

Force young people to vote – even for “none of the above”

But why just 18 year olds (the article says to get them into the habit of voting) and what if ” none of the above” is the majority choice!

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Young-people-forced-vote/story-26287132-detail/story.html

Exeter homes are unaffordable – so where do housebuyers go?

The article cited below blames not only high house prices but also the fact that many sites in the city boundary are now snapped up for student housing (which is not counted in Local Plans). With more than 18,000 students that means that Exeter is bursting at the seams and when a site (green or brown) becomes available in the city, the University snaps it up, leading to the “town v gown” mentality common in most big university cities.

The number of student dwellings in the city rose from 1,495 in October 2009 to 2,975 in October 2014 – an increase of 98.99 per cent.
says the article.

Towns such as Cranbrook and Newton Abbott are therefore becoming dormitories and commuter belts for what EDDC is already calling “Greater Exeter” – meaning many people must take to their cars in East Devon to get to their jobs in Exeter and those same people use their cars to get to entertainment and leisure facilities in the city. Bus travel is being cut not expanded, so no help there.

With EDDC’s choice of high economic growth for our Local Plan this basically means we now have to dance to Exeter’s tune – the more jobs Exeter creates, the more houses we have to build. The more sites the University buys in the city, the more workers must find alternatives elsewhere.

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-affordable-cities-home-buyers/story-26286503-detail/story.html

Happy East Devon Easter!

Shaping East Devon’s future……Keith Owen’s inspirational legacy (thanks to the Sid Vale Association’s work!) is bringing much more than just spectacular swathes of Spring flowers. It’s hit the national headlines….and the tourism trigger!
And community spirit has been raised to a new high: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11514052/Millionaires-valley-of-a-million-bulbs-dying-dream-fulfilled.html