Construction of new double garage. Windgates Peak Hill Road Sidmouth EX10 0NWRef. No: 21/3096/FUL | Validated: Thu 25 Nov 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
Erection of polytunnel Park Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7TBRef. No: 21/3102/FUL | Validated: Thu 25 Nov 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
Erection of an agricultural building Land To South East Of Gore Lane KilmingtonRef. No: 21/3067/AGR | Validated: Tue 23 Nov 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
Dominic Raab has become the first cabinet minister to concede that a “formal party” in Downing Street last December would have been contrary to Covid-19 guidance, saying it would have been “the wrong thing to do”.
It came as MPs and campaigners, including a woman whose mother died of Covid-19 on the day when staff are alleged to have held a drinks party at No 10, called for the Covid inquiry to investigate the effect that politicians breaking rules has had on the erosion of public trust in politics and compliance with pandemic restrictions.
Anneliese Dodds, the Labour party’s chair, said it was the first admission that a party inside No 10 would have been, in itself, against the rules.
“We have it in black and white from the prime minister’s right-hand man: a formal party at Downing Street would have been both wrong and against Covid rules,” she said.
“These comments from his deputy pile the pressure on Boris Johnson to come clean about what happened last Christmas and publish the full facts about the party at No 10. There cannot be one rule for senior Conservatives and another rule for everyone else.”
Raab, the deputy prime minister, said Johnson had assured him that no rules had been broken over the alleged gathering last year, despite reports from various sources in several newspapers. “Let’s just be clear what we’re talking about here, something that took place a year ago, unsubstantiated anonymous claims being made,” Raab said on Sunday.
“It’s impossible to answer the charge on that basis, only that we are clear the rules were being followed. If there is a breach of the rules, there is a breach of the rules, but I don’t know the full facts because I wasn’t there.”
Asked if, as a lawyer, he agreed it would have been a breach of the rules to have held a gathering, Raab said: “Of course, if there was a formal party held … that is something that is clearly contrary to the guidance.
“If anyone held a party contrary to the rules, of course that is the wrong thing to do.”
“If something unsubstantiated from anonymous sources actually materialised, then of course it would be wrong,” he added.
Two Labour MPs have reported the alleged gathering at No 10 to the Metropolitan police. However, Raab, who is also the justice secretary, said the police “don’t normally look back and investigate things that have taken place a year ago” – a comment that drew some incredulity from the opposition.
Jackie Green, whose 86-year-old mother, Beryl, died of Covid in hospital on the night of 18 December, when a party is alleged to have been held, said she was shaken by Raab’s comments.
“The claims that there is any distinction between a formal or informal party or that the guidance was caveated is total nonsense,” she said. “It was crystal clear. As far as I am concerned, by abiding by those rules, the consequence was my mum died alone and frightened – and if I had been with her, I might have been able to alleviate some of that fear.”
The government is due to announce the chair of its Covid-19 inquiry within the next fortnight. Green said she hoped the inquiry would look into rule-breaking by politicians in power. “It was shameful how Dominic Raab was trying to evade the questions,” she said.
Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the party would write to the inquiry chair to urge them to investigate the truth about what happened in Downing Street.
“Lessons must be learned, and there is no doubt the endless list of ministers breaking rules has destroyed the public’s trust in Covid rules which keep us all safe,” she said.
Raab earlier told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme that the rules for Christmas parties this year were “very clear”. He said: “People can go in and have Christmas parties.
“Of course, employers will want to think common sense about how they do that. We won’t be having a Ministry of Justice-wide Christmas party this year. We will be having appropriate drinks at a smaller scale.
“The government wants people to be able to enjoy Christmas this year. People should feel free to go and enjoy those celebrations, and every employer will think about the right way to do it and I’m the same as everybody else.”
A senior councillor’s membership of the Liberal Democrats has been temporarily suspended as the party looks into a physical confrontation he had at a full council meeting.
During a question on planning, Teignbridge councillor Gary Taylor (Dawlish South West) appeared to try to pull opposition member Liam Mullone (Newton Says No, College) away at a meeting in September. The pair were broken up.
Cllr Mullone told BBC Radio Devon that Cllr Taylor “grabbed me by the lapels and I heard my jacket tear. He was trying to pull me out of the room.”
Addressing the first council meeting since the incident, Cllr Taylor, who holds the planning portfolio, said: “You have my word that I will not act in this manner again in the future.
“Whilst my actions were intended to prevent an escalation of an ongoing situation, I recognise that in the field of politics, there is no place for physical confrontation, however well-intentioned or otherwise.”
But he didn’t apologise to Cllr Mullone directly.
The Liberal Democrats have now confirmed in a statement that “Mr Taylor’s membership of the party has been temporarily suspended while a complaint is investigated.”
It added: “The Liberal Democrats operate a robust and independent complaints process.”
However, Councillor Alan Connett (Kenton & Starcross), leader of the council and the Lib Dem group, confirmed that Cllr Taylor remains on the executive and part of the local political group while it awaits a decision from the national party.
Following Cllr Taylor’s apology this week, a council spokesperson said: “As a local authority we expect all councillors and officers to demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour.
“Councillor Taylor apologised at [Tuesday’s] full council for his actions at the previous meeting. Therefore, no further action is considered appropriate or necessary.”
Last week John Hart trailed this initiative in his press article “Perfect storm has created a housing crisis” [see Owl’s comments here.]
Now we learn that John has cleared the next hurdle of getting his Council to agree to the cross-party, cross-council approach working through “Team Devon” (see article below).
Of relevance to the debate is what is happening in Wales:
The average [house] price in Wales has risen only 35 per cent since 2008, versus 77 per cent in London. The pandemic drive for green space has driven Welsh demand, according to the head of residential research at Hamptons estate agency, but not among second-home buyers: they are down 5 per cent year-on-year in the countryside (Wales brought in a 4 per cent surcharge on holiday homes in December 2020). It’s owner-occupiers moving from more expensive locations, and buying above £500,000 at record levels, who are fuelling the upper end of the Welsh market.(Extract from the Times)
Urgent action to tackle Devon’s housing crisis has been agreed by councillors.
There was cross-party support for a range of measures to try to deal with the growing issue
It comes as new figures show house price rises in some parts of Devon are among the highest in the country.
At the same time the lack of affordable rental properties means key workers in care, health and education can’t fill job vacancies because they can’t find anywhere to live.
And more and more long-term rental properties are being converted to short-term holiday lets or sold off to take advantage of rising prices.
Devon County Council’s full council on Thursday backed the creation of a new strategic housing task force in partnership with Devon’s district, town and parish councils in Team Devon and other key partners such as Homes England.
The county council will also look at whether it can offer accommodation to key workers to attract them to work for the authority and lobby MPs to press for tax loopholes on holiday rental homes to be tightened up.
Devon County Council leader, Cllr John Hart said: “This problem is so serious that we need a united, cross-party approach. This is where Team Devon comes into its own.
“We are all talking the same language and should lobby together. We are speaking on behalf of 800,000 people.
“Together we have a more powerful voice in lobbying the Government for the changes that need to be made.”
“The county council is not a housing authority. That is the job of the districts and we are not seeking to usurp any of their powers. But it is why we want to work in close partnership with them, our town and parish councils and Dartmoor National Park under the umbrella of Team Devon, which has been so successful in developing a countywide approach to the pandemic.
“Together we have a more powerful voice in lobbying the Government for the changes that need to be made.”
Cllr Hart added: “Hospitality businesses in coastal areas can’t get staff because they can’t find anywhere to live and that is stifling our strong economic recovery.
“But we’ve also heard from one Devon business which employs around 300 people which is considering re-locating some of its operations to Bristol because of the housing situation here.
“The county council is struggling to fill hundreds of vacancies for care staff who can’t find anywhere to live. And that has an impact on our hospitals if they can’t discharge patients who could go home with some support from a carer which would free up beds, and some schools are finding it difficult to recruit staff because they can’t find accommodation.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Alan Connett said: “We all agree there is an issue and something needs to be done. Every one of us should be able to live in a safe, warm, secure home.
“I welcome the county council changing its approach and looking to help tackle the new and mounting challenges to provide homes for key workers. There is no doubt there is a real shift in the housing markets in a way councils have not seen before. My own view is that as a country we should start building council houses again.
“A century ago we talked of homes fit for heroes, as the men returned from World War I. Today, we still need homes for modern heroes, including former service personnel, emergency workers, health and social care staff.”
Labour leader Cllr Rob Hannaford added: “We must come together and work together to deal with this crisis. We can do more, we should do more and we must do more.
“Second home sales are soaring, private landlords are switching to holiday letting in huge numbers, significantly fewer homes are available to buy or rent and both renters and buyers are being priced out of the county in an unprecedented way.”
The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show house price inflation in Devon is running at 13.4 per cent – more than Cornwall or Somerset – and some parts of the county are even higher. North Devon at 22.4 per cent is in the top 10 districts in the country for house price growth with Torridge on 19.8 per cent, the South Hams at 15.5 per cent and East Devon on 14.8 per cent.
Figures produced for Team Devon show Air B&B offering 253 rentals in Exmouth compared with just four residential lettings. In Ilfracombe the figures are 326 compared to four.
Cllr Hart said some necessary actions would need Government support but there was a lot councils could do themselves. Devon is to consider the potential to convert some offices or other properties into housing for key workers and offering grants towards deposits for house purchase.
The council will also look at whether it could offer accommodation to key workers to attract them to work for the authority and lobby MPs to press for tax loopholes on holiday rental homes to be tightened up.
Team Devon has a bid for Government cash to help promote small-scale housing projects providing local homes for local people under Community Land Trusts which is being led by Mid Devon District Council’s Chief Executive, Stephen Walford.
Councils could also learn from best practice in other areas and share ideas on how housing and planning policies could be adapted to ensure some affordable homes were allocated solely for essential local workers.
“There has always been an issue in Devon with young people not being able to live where they grew up because of low wages and high house prices but this is a perfect storm and we need to take urgent action,” added Cllr Hart.
A second new town for East Devon in addition to currently being built Cranbrook is among the proposals as part of a draft new Local Plan reveals potential locations for where new homes could be built.
In the spirit of being open and transparent the draft document, which may change as a result of further consideration and public consultation, will be debated for the first time in public on Tuesday, December 14, by EDDC’s Strategic Planning Committee. (This provides link to agenda, supporting papers, speaking and viewing arrangements – Owl).
This is the first time in East Devon District Council’s history that it has revealed a ‘work in progress’ draft for a Local Plan, normally waiting until work is further progressed before showing it to the public.
The document, which will help shape East Devon until 2040, builds on the authority’s recently adopted Council Plan and looks at how the district can protect the environment, build employment space and ensure only high quality developments are built.
The Government says EDDC must deliver 918 homes a year. This means the new Local Plan needs to identify land for more than 6,900 additional homes. This is in addition to those already planned for, like at Cranbrook and developments expected to come forward by 2040.
Most of the large scale housing sites will also be expected to provide a range of employment spaces and community facilities and create sustainable communities where walking and cycling are the norm.
East Devon potential housing locations
The current preferred strategy could deliver:
A concentration of new development on the western side of East Devon to include an additional new town (a further new town in addition to Cranbrook) to provide around 2,500 homes by 2040 but ultimately to grow to around 8,000 homes;
Major strategic developments close to the city of Exeter including new developments off Clyst Road, North of Topsham and expansions to Exeter Science Park and further employment spaces north of Sowton Village and near the airport
Axminster – approx. 335 homes in a series of small scale urban extensions providing a mix of housing and employment sites.
Exmouth – approx. 455 homes within a number of sites focused on the north east of the town with some smaller scale allocations to the south and east.
Honiton – approx. 228 homes with a large allocation to the eastern edge of the town and a series of smaller applications to the other edges of the town.
Ottery St Mary – approx. 250 homes to the western side of the town including an area of employment land.
Seaton – approx. 264 homes largely focused on 4 sites to the north of the town including a large allocation between Harepath Road and Colyford Road comprising a mix of housing and employment.
Sidmouth – approx. 196 homes comprising a large allocation west of Woolbrook Road and a series of smaller scale allocations to the north and west of the town.
Around 400 homes could be built in total across a number of ‘local centres’ including Broadclyst, Budleigh Salterton, Colyton, Lympstone and Woodbury.
With a further 500 homes split between the ‘service villages’ including Clyst St Mary, Feniton and Whimple among others.
On the new town, the plan says: “A new town will be a long time in the planning and it is unlikely that any new homes will be built until into the 2030s. On this basis, and at build out rates that if they escalate up to around 300 homes per year, there might be expected to be up to 2,500 new homes built at the new town before the 2040 end date of the East Devon working draft Local Plan.
“The second new town will, therefore, see most of its development happening outside of the life of this local plan and potentially running beyond the mid-point of the 21st Century. There will be a need to build up a long term strategy and vision for the development of this new town.”
If the proposals are endorsed but a second new town is rejected the extra housing that is needed is more likely to be around 3,800 new homes, the plan adds.
The plan adds: “The work on developing a plan strategy (including looking at alternative options) has identified the appropriateness of building another new town close to the City of Exeter.
“There is clearly an option of not planning for a second new town though this would raise fundamental questions about where housing growth in particular would go.
“As a variation or alternative to a self-contained new town there would be the option of planning for a series of separate larger scale new villages in the western part of East Devon. Such villages may have the potential for speedier delivery though are unlikely to secure the range of services and facilities that a new town may provide.”
In green, the outline of the sites for the three potential new towns in East Devon
It continues: “It is proposed that the policy of the new local plan will provide for a second new town in East Devon, though with a specific site still to be defined, on land in close proximity to the City of Exeter.
“The intent is that in the Draft Local Plan, to be consulted on, a specific site (or at least a much more explicit statement on location) will be identified with a proposal that the site is allocated for development.”
Among the submissions were three different proposals for new settlements, in the west end of the district – with a Clyst Valley Garden village on land south of Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George, land around Denbow Farm between the A30 and the A3052, and a site between Crealy Adventure Park and Greendale Business Park known as ‘Greenbrook’.
The first potential ‘new town’ would be for a new ‘garden village’ on land around Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George. The site has been submitted as part of the HELAA process, and maps show that the site would extend to the north of the existing Clyst St George settlement to around where Winslade Park currently lies, before expanding out to the east towards Crealy Adventure Park, as well as out from the east of Clyst St George towards Woodbury Salterton.
The second proposal for a new town is at Denbow Farm. That scheme, which was also suggested during GESP, covers a large area of 660 hectares largely of rolling farmland extending from the A30 to the A3052, before adjoining the Hill Barton industrial area to the south.
It covers the parishes of Clyst Honiton, Sowton, Farringdon, Aylesbeare and could see 10,000 homes built, as well as employment land provided, and could deliver a new route connecting the A30 to the A3052, a self-sufficient, mixed-use garden community and it could deliver a regional hub for sports.
The third is on land south of the A3052 between the Greendale Business Park and Crealy Adventure Park – the proposed ‘Greenbrook’ development. The map shows that the entirety of the land between the two sites is included, with it also stretching slightly further south towards the edge of Woodbury Salterton.
In the spirit of being open and transparent the draft document, which may change as a result of further consideration and public consultation, will be debated for the first time in public on Tuesday, December 14, by EDDC’s Strategic Planning Committee.
A council spokesman said: “It is appreciated some of the proposals are controversial and will cause concern to communities but the proposals may well change following further work and input from councillors.
“Residents have been asked not to submit comments at this stage and to wait until the final draft plan has been published. A public consultation, including workshops, will then be held next summer based on current timescales.”
They added: “The plan showcases EDDC’s aspirations for all new homes to be zero carbon with measures such as better insulation, triple glazing, solar panels and special pumps that extract heat from the air to warm people’s homes as well as district heating systems like the one at Cranbrook, which can be run on renewable energy.
“Policies that minimise the carbon footprint while building developments have also been proposed along with measures that ensure more is put back to create natural habitats, affected by developments, than is taken away.
“Alongside the new homes the working draft plan looks at where employment space can be put to deliver new jobs alongside the homes to create a “…resilient, inclusive, green economy, delivering growth and prosperity for the benefit of everybody in the district”.
The working draft of the plan will be considered by councillors and amended and modified as work progresses over the coming months
Full details of the proposed sites can be viewed at
Bonds Farmhouse Gore Lane Exmouth EX8 5DARef. No: 21/3095/FUL | Validated: Thu 25 Nov 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
East Devon Watch 