Can either “Rich Rishi!” or “Fizzy Liz” turn this around before the next election? – Owl

Larry Elliott www.theguardian.com 

Forget talk of a return to the inflationary spirals of the 1970s. The real story of Britain’s labour market is of an intensifying squeeze on living standards as the gap between pay and the cost of living widens.

Real regular pay – wages adjusted for prices once bonus payments have been stripped out – were 2.8% lower in the three months to May than in the same period of 2021. Not only was that the sixth monthly decline in a row, it was the biggest drop since modern records began in 2001.

What’s more, there is worse to come as inflation heads higher over the coming months. Pay growth excluding bonuses picked up slightly from 4.2% to 4.3% according to the latest Office for National Statistics data but nowhere near fast enough to keep up with price increases. If the Bank of England is right and inflation peaks above 11% after energy bills rise again in the autumn, the pressure on household budgets will be enormous.

Including bonuses, the picture is a bit brighter. Here the fall in real pay is smaller – at 0.9% – but the benefits of bonuses have been skewed towards better-paid workers in the finance and business services sectors and construction. These groups enjoyed annual total pay growth of 8.2% and 8.1% respectively, enough to keep pace with price rises.

But not all workers can rely on bonuses to top up their pay packets. Real earnings are falling particularly rapidly in the public sector, where total pay was just 1.5% higher in the three months to May than it was a year earlier.

The ONS labour market figures show a decline in inactivity as people return to the workforce in search of jobs. This is not entirely surprising: job vacancies are at record levels and households need paid employment when they are struggling to pay the bills.

Two big conclusions can be drawn from the latest data. The first is that there will be trouble ahead unless the government responds to the falling living standards of teachers, nurses, civil servants and other groups of public sector workers. This will mean either people leaving the public sector or strikes, and probably both.

The second is that the economy is rapidly reaching crunch point. If average regular pay is rising by just over 4% and annual inflation is running well above 10%, something has to give. That something will be consumer spending, with the lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers suffering most.

Problems ahead for the choice of “His Master’s Voice” Simon Jupp, as Simon returns to his constituency to prepare for….defeat? – Owl

Tories brace for ‘nastiest’ leadership campaign in party’s history

The identity of Britain’s next prime minister remains in the balance but, with the contenders whittled down to the final two, one thing seems certain: the Tories are entering the “nastiest” leadership campaign in their history.

By Gordon Rayner, Associate Editor www.telegraph.co.uk (Extracts)

…It will be a battle of ideology, policy and personality, with Mr Sunak, the prudent, centrist, polished public schoolboy against Ms Truss, the tax-cutting, Right-wing, robotic Yorkshire lass.

The two have already committed enough blue-on-blue attacks to last Labour through to the next election. 

Mr Sunak has dismissed his opponent’s “something for nothing” tax-cutting pledges as “fairytale” economics and attacked her past as a Remainer and a former Liberal Democrat. Ms Truss, who went to a comprehensive school, has attacked the former chancellor’s privileged education at Winchester College and accused him of leading the country into a recession….

One person who is already helping him from the sidelines is Dominic Cummings, the former Number 10 adviser who helped unseat Boris Johnson with “Dom bombs” about partygate. He now has Ms Truss in his sights, and has dubbed her “the human hand grenade” because “she blows up all she touches”. 

Mr Cummings has suggested that Boris Johnson wants her to win the contest because: “He knows Truss is mad as a box of snakes and is thinking ‘there’s a chance she blows, there’s another contest and I can return’.”

In his blog, he said she had been guilty of “compulsive pathological leaking” which “caused chaos and damaged the UK”. Previous experience suggests that Mr Cummings will make sure that plenty of other damaging stories about Ms Truss make it into the public domain.

Ms Truss, aware of her own shortcomings, has already felt the need to say she is not the slickest performer. Without the charisma of a Boris Johnson or even a Rory Stewart, she has no choice but to attack her opponent’s record and compare his policies to socialism.

One source in the Truss camp said: “Both of them have quite a few problems when it comes to winning over the membership.

“An awful lot of members are very cross that Boris is gone, so there isn’t a huge amount of affection for either candidate. It means they have got to work harder than normal to win over the membership.

“Rishi isn’t liked because he is regarded by the members as a high-tax chancellor, so he is retaliating with personal attacks on Liz, such as asking whether she had greater regrets about voting Remain or being a former Lib Dem, which was astonishingly pointed….

Mr Sunak also has another formidable opponent – Boris Johnson. In a proxy war with Mr Cummings, Number 10 will be doing everything it can behind the scenes to steer members towards loyalist “continuity Boris” candidate Ms Truss, rather than the man who triggered the Prime Minister’s downfall by resigning….

(Apologies, slightly later than usual – Owl)

• T1, Oak : remove epicormic growth and branches on trunk only up to 5m; MDC 100MM; On the north eastern side of the tree are several lateral branches extending out over a small apple tree, that finish around 75 to 80% up to the total height of the tree, reduce the end loads on these branches by up to 1.5m MDC 100mm; Thin canopy by 10% MDC 75mm. Reason: Appropriate arb management. 3 The Chestnuts Aylesbeare EX5 2BYRef. No: 22/1523/TRE | Validated: Fri 08 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Internal alterations and the raising of the roof of the existing garage to provide a home office / gym area. 15 Monmouth Way Honiton Devon EX14 2GYRef. No: 22/1525/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 – Horse Chestnut. Crown lift over Portland Avenue to comply with The Highways Act 1980 and over the parking area, bin store and neighbouring driveway to 3m above ground level, maximum diameter of cut (MDC) 50mm T2 – Copper Beech. Crown lift over Portland Avenue to comply with The Highways Act 1980 and over the parking area to 3m above ground level, MDC 40mm T3 – Copper Beech. Dismantle to ground level T4 – Beech. Crown lift over Douglas Avenue to comply with the Highways Act 1980, MDC 40mm Reason for Works: T1, T2 & T4 are routine arboricultural management. T3 Appropriate arboricultural management due to condition of tree. Flat 6, St Hilarian 23 Portland Avenue Exmouth EX8 2BSRef. No: 22/1502/TRE | Validated: Thu 07 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition and rebuild of existing barn to form two bedroomed dwelling (approval for dwelling under reference number 22/0809/VAR) Appledore Farm FarwayRef. No: 22/1506/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey extensions to the side and rear along with window alterations and replacement cladding 15 Chrystel Close Tipton St John Devon EX10 0AYRef. No: 22/1505/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolish existing flat roof and provide new extension with a pitched roof, raised patio area and internal alterations Jenirens Farm Bungalow Buckerell Honiton EX14 3ERRef. No: 22/1504/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of existing un-listed machinery shed into one bedroom annex to service the existing residence Burnthouse Farm Northmostown Sidmouth EX10 0NLRef. No: 22/1507/LBC | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Side porch to Annexe. Rivendell Chardstock EX13 7BTRef. No: 22/1495/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 and T2, Pittosporum – dismantle and fell. Row1, Pittosporum – reduce by approximately 2m to suitable live growth leaving as natural a form as possible. Remove low limb over shed. Berry Lodge Berry Lane Beer EX12 3JSRef. No: 22/1497/TCA | Validated: Tue 05 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed covered slurry store Lower Beavor Farm Axminster Devon EX13 5SERef. No: 22/1483/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision

• 18 Ground mounted Solar panels on 3 frames of 6 panels Woodhay Woodhouse Lane Uplyme DT7 3SXRef. No: 22/1484/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement barn (part retrospective) Tottiskay Farm Southleigh EX24 6JBRef. No: 22/1487/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing STC store and Bus Garage on site to be replaced by 9 residential units with landscaped gardens and private parking. Axe Valley Mini Travel 26 Harbour Road Seaton EX12 2NARef. No: 22/1478/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed roof alterations works including a rear dormer and single storey rear and front porch extensions. 6 Ash Grove Exmouth EX8 3BNRef. No: 22/1486/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension. 69 Oaklea Honiton EX14 1XHRef. No: 22/1488/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of side dormer extension.3 Homefield Close Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1HSRef. No: 22/1480/CPL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Approved
• Change of use of ground floor rear tenement from E (c) financial and professional services to C3 Dwellinghouses. 47 High Street Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LERef. No: 22/1472/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T2 – Lime. Reduce lower southern crown by 2m & remove major deadwood in upper northern crown T4 – Lime. Crown lift over footpath to 2.5m T6 – Lime. Reduce lowest branch over road & crown lift to comply with the Highways Act 1980 T8 – Alder. Crown lift to comply with the Highways Act 1980 T9 – Cherry. Crown lift to comply with the Highways Act 1980 T10 – Alder. Crown lift to achieve a 2m clearance from building T11 – Alder. Crown lift to 5.2m over access Reason for works: Actioning recommendations following tree survey, see report attached for further details. Fire Station Ottery St Mary EX11 1AQRef. No: 22/1477/TRE | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Creation of new vehicular access and repositioning of shed Little Holt Ebford Lane Ebford EX3 0QXRef. No: 22/1462/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Reconstruction and reconfiguring of main and rear roof slope, replacement of existing rusted steel sheeting and failing asbestos cement sheeting with natural slate; rebuilding and reducing size of chimney, partial reconstruction of gable wall, small flat-roofed extension to existing rear single storey extension to form new kitchen and associated external works Rose Lane Cottage Huxham Exeter EX5 4EPRef. No: 22/1444/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Change of use of existing ‘Granny Annexe’ to holiday accommodation Fordton Farmhouse The Green Whimple Exeter EX5 2TXRef. No: 22/1433/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of Use of existing ‘Granny Annexe’ to holiday accommodation Fordton Farmhouse The Green Whimple Exeter EX5 2TXRef. No: 22/1434/LBC | Validated: Thu 07 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Raising of roof Dairy Farm Combpyne Axminster EX13 8SXRef. No: 22/1425/AGR | Validated: Thu 07 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two dwellings and associated access Land East Of East Budleigh Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6HERef. No: 22/1427/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Double door on front elevation replaced with 6 panel door; replace cellar fixed glazed window with double glazed doors on front elevation; cellar stairs removed and reinstate floor over; remove partition wall at ground floor; remove doors leading to hall at ground floor and block up opening; remove existing single storey lean-to extension on rear elevation and install 1no. arched window on rear elevation 5 Cornhill Ottery St Mary EX11 1DWRef. No: 22/1420/LBC | Validated: Tue 05 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing garage and construction of a self contained annexe. 11 Grange Avenue Exmouth Devon EX8 3HURef. No: 22/1405/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of 5 dwelling houses with garaging (demolition of existing dwelling house). Provision of new vehicular access (closure of existing access). 15 Townsend Road Seaton EX12 2AYRef. No: 22/1386/OUT | Validated: Mon 04 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Open sided cover for cattle gathering areas and slurry store in and around farm yard area Slymlakes Farm Musbury Road Axminster Devon EX13 8TTRef. No: 22/1384/AGR | Validated: Fri 08 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of detached garage and erection of proposed detached dwelling. Land At Frogmore Road East BudleighRef. No: 22/1279/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jul 2022 | Status: Awaiting decision

Under Tory control, agricultural grade 1 land was sacrificed to build Cranbrook. There is very little grade 1 agricultural land in East Devon. Why, and was this wise? – Owl

Land classification East Devon: Source Natural England

Key to land classification:

Helena Horton www.theguardian.com 

The rate at which infrastructure is built on prime farmland in England has risen a hundredfold in the past decade, a report has found, as it calls the country’s food security into question.

Farmland that could grow 250,000 tonnes of vegetables a year has been lost to development, with 300,000 homes built on prime land since 2010.

There was a huge rise in “best and most versatile” agricultural land set aside for housing and industry between 2010 and 2022, up from 60 hectares (148 acres) a year to more than 6,000.

Politicians have been looking at the way land is used in the country, as in order to tackle the climate emergency as well as feed people, farming must become lower-emission, more productive and increase biodiversity.

This means that low-grade farmland, which requires more irrigation and fertiliser, may have to be used for infrastructure instead of prime land, which is more efficient for growing food.

As well as being at risk from development, prime land is also more at risk of flooding, raising deeper questions about food security as Britain experiences more extreme weather events as a result of the climate crisis.

Sixty per cent of grade 1 agricultural land (more than 200,000 hectares) is within flood zone 3, the areas at highest risk of flooding.

CPRE, the countryside charity that published the report, is calling for the government to produce a comprehensive land use strategy, setting out what type of land should be used for which purpose and is asking for a “brownfield first” approach to housebuilding. It is also calling for a firm presumption against development on prime farmland.

The government has been working on a land use framework that, before Boris Johnson’s resignation, was due for publication in the coming weeks, but sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it could be delayed until the new prime minister is in post.

Crispin Truman, the chief executive of CPRE, said: “For the first time in several generations, our food security is at risk – yet we’ve seen a hundredfold increase in the loss of our best farmland to development since 2010. Heating, eating and housing are fundamental needs. A healthy environment, mitigating and adapting against the devastation threatened by the climate emergency, is the bedrock that underpins them all. We need to know what to put where. That’s why we need a land use strategy.”

The government recently admitted that the country needs to produce more of its own food, in its food strategy.

However, to reach net zero and stop biodiversity collapse, farming also has to change to become more sustainable. Experts have said this means looking at the way land is used and perhaps making some changes.

Truman added: “As we face a cost of living crisis, housing crisis and the adjustment of our farming sector to post-Brexit subsidies, we have multiple, critical priorities for our land. We need to move away from intensive farming practices and towards a more ‘multifunctional’ approach, reconciling food production with better management for natural and cultural heritage, and for public access. Policies which are put in place now will be crucial in the coming years to ensure the most efficient use of our land in the face of these challenges.”

Food charities have welcomed the report. Rob Percival, the head of food policy at the Soil Association, said: “Decisions concerning land use are complex and inadequately supported by government policy. Given competing demands for food, nature, climate adaptation, and societal demand for new homes, transport and energy infrastructures, it’s essential that government expedites its delivery of a land use framework.

“This framework, promised for 2023, should ensure that land is used for the purposes it best serves, with prime farmland harnessed for agroecology and the production of healthy foods. It’s high time we got on top of the challenge. The land use puzzle is only going to get more confounding as the climate and nature crises escalate.”

Tories in turmoil, a selection of what’s on offer to the right wing reader:

We want a vote to keep Boris Johnson as PM, demand Tory members www.telegraph.co.uk

More than 2,000 Conservative members have written to the party’s chairman to demand a vote on whether Boris Johnson should carry on as leader.

The party members want Mr Johnson’s name to be added to the ballot when 160,000 members vote for a new leader next month….

The petition is the first stage of a campaign by members to reinstate Mr Johnson, with further plans to pressure association chairmen to take action over his removal from the leadership.

Tory Party members don’t care about net zero target ‘because 90pc will be dead by 2050’ www.telegraph.co.uk

Conservative MP Chris Skidmore says climate change fight requires more urgent timeframe

Conservative Party members are unwilling to prioritise the Government’s 2050 net zero targets “because 90pc of them will be dead”, a Conservative MP has claimed.

Liz Truss ‘poses the greatest risk’ to UK economy www.telegraph.co.uk 

Leadership candidate’s economic plan is ‘concerning’, warn City analysts

Liz Truss’s policies pose the biggest risk to the British economy out of the remaining Tory leadership challengers, City analysts have warned, as she eyes multi billion-pound tax cuts and a Bank of England shake-up.

The Foreign Secretary’s “more substantial” economic plan is an “unseemly combination” of stimulative tax cuts and concerning views that scapegoat the Bank of England, according to economists at Citigroup.

Now we know this really is a government of piss and wind! – Owl

Government’s strategy for getting to Net Zero is inadequate and unlawful, the High Court has found, following a successful legal challenge brought by Good Law Project, Joanna Wheatley, Client Earth and Friends of the Earth. [Owl’s emphases here and below]

The Climate Change Act requires Government to hit Net Zero by 2050, to make proposals as to how it will meet that target, and to place a report before Parliament. 

In a detailed judgment and order published today – amid the first ever red alert for extreme heat – the High Court held that the proposals for achieving Net Zero approved by the Secretary of State were too vague to enable him to be satisfied that the statutory targets would be met. And that the report placed before Parliament lacked the specificity necessary to meet the Secretary of State’s duty to inform Parliament and the public of his plans.

The illegality of its landmark climate change strategy is a huge political embarrassment to the Government. On launch in October 2021 the Net Zero Strategy was hailed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a foreword “Our strategy for net zero is to lead the world in ending our contribution to climate change.” And by the Secretary of State, Kwasi Kwarteng: “This strategy demonstrates how the UK is leading by example, with a clear plan for the future.”

The Court has ordered that the existing Strategy be fleshed out with the detail necessary for Parliamentary – and public – scrutiny within the next 8 months. And the Government has been ordered to pay our costs.

The dangerous heatwave this week is a stark reminder of the very real threat we face. Our infrastructure and homes were designed for a climate that no longer exists. This cannot wait. The Net Zero target must be a road map to a sustainable future – not a lie we tell our children.

We are thrilled to have worked alongside our friends at Client Earth and Friends of the Earth to deliver this landmark victory. And we are hugely grateful to Baker McKenzie and Jason Coppel QC and Peter Lockley of 11 Kings Bench Walk who worked pro bono or at hugely discounted rates.

goodlawproject.org

Good Law Project only exists thanks to donations from people across the UK. If you’re in a position to support our work, you can do so here

The “Nasty Party” just got a whole lot nastier and personal. – Owl

Boris Johnson has withdrawn the Conservative whip from the defence committee chair, Tobias Ellwood, who failed to support the government in a confidence vote.

Jessica Elgot www.theguardian.com 

Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East who has been an outspoken critic of Johnson’s conduct during his time as prime minister, told whips he intended to continue with a trip abroad during the vote.

Ellwood will no longer be eligible to vote in the Tory party’s leadership election as he will no longer be regarded as a Conservative MP. He has backed Penny Mordaunt, who came second behind Rishi Sunak, in the latest round of voting on Monday night.

A spokesperson for the whips’ office said: “Tobias Ellwood MP has lost the Conservative party whip following his failure to vote in support of the government in the confidence vote last night.”

In a statement, Ellwood said he had been unable to return because of travel issues. He said: “Following my meeting yesterday with the president of Moldova I was unable to secure return travel due to unprecedented disruption both here and in the UK.”

A source in the whips’ office said confidence votes needed to be taken extremely seriously by all MPs and said a failure to vote in support was considered a failure to support the Conservative party agenda, regardless of whether Johnson was leader.

Ellwood was warned he could lose the whip if he did not attend the vote, despite being “slipped” – which is permission granted by whips not to attend. Ellwood’s slip was rescinded but the source said he ignored overtures to attend.

The source said Ellwood was reminded that the vote of confidence would be taking place and was informed of the repercussions if he were not present.

The source said he had been threatened with the loss of the whip and asked to return on multiple occasions.

Other Conservative MPs cancelled foreign trips, left poorly relatives and one MP still attended and voted even though their mother had died that morning, the source said.

However, it remained unclear why 11 other Conservative MPs missed the vote without any apparent repercussions. There was no vote recorded for MPs including John Baron, Nusrat Ghani, Tom Hunt and Johnny Mercer, the newly appointed veterans’ affairs minister.

It is understood that some of the missing Tory MPs were, like Ellwood, also on trips abroad, but that they were given permission to be “paired” with opposition MPs.

However, a government whip source said these were on government trips, while those not away who missed the vote were ill. Ellwood had not sought permission to be absent for his trip, they added.

In the debate before the vote, Johnson defended his three years in power in a combative speech that hinted at a “deep state” plot to drag the UK back into the EU when he leaves office.

The government won by 349 to 238, a majority of 111. In a highly unusual move, No 10 called the vote of confidence in itself after it rejected a Labour motion that singled out Johnson.

Labour had originally said it would seek to hold a confidence vote after Johnson announced he was staying on as prime minister until the autumn and a new Conservative leader was in place.

However, the government refused to accept the wording of the Labour motion, which expressed no confidence in the government and the prime minister, so ministers tabled a motion of their own.

A temporary ban on swimming and watersports at Exmouth beach has been lifted this evening (Tuesday, July 19) following a pollution scare.

Smelly (H₂S-“bad eggs”) black mud? Most likely the result of anaerobic (lack of oxygen) decomposition of organic compounds, rotting seaweed? Basically an indication of pollution of one sort or another whatever they say. See this and similar articles. – (Owl tries to recall some sixth form science)

Becca Gliddon eastdevonnews.co.uk 

Beachgoers were earlier told by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to avoid the water while the Environment Agency (EA) carried out tests.

This followed concerns over foul-smelling black sand being found at the eastern end of the beach close to Maer rocks on Monday, July 18.

Red flags and warning signs telling people to stay out the water were put along the seafront and lifeguards stepped up patrols.

EDDC said this evening that test results of water samples, taken yesterday, have now shown ‘a very low level of bacteria in the normal range’.

South West Water is still investigating the cause of the incident, but EDDC’s precautionary closure has now ended.

“Bathing and watersports are once again being allowed at Exmouth,” said a council spokesperson.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience while these tests were carried out.”

The area of concern had been between Orcombe Point and the lifeboat station.

The black sand. Photo: Environment Agency.

The black sand is submerged during high tide. Photo: Environment Agency.

Samples have been sent for analysis to determine the black sand’s pollution risk. Photo: Environment Agency.

Environment Agency officials have confirmed a section of Exmouth beach remains off limits to swimmers amid reports ‘black and smelly’ pollution has been detected at the Devon beauty spot.

Chloe Parkman www.devonlive.com

It comes as East Devon District Council urges beachgoers to avoid entering the water between Orcombe Point and the lifeboat station due to the situation – which is now under formal investigation.

EDDC confirmed that both EA and South West Water have been investigating the incident. SWW is set to take bacteriological samples at low tide later today.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency told Devon Live: “The Environment Agency is investigating reports of a pollution incident at Exmouth, in the area between Orcombe Point and the lifeboat station. A member of the public alerted the Environment Agency to the incident, reporting black sand and an odour.

“We have liaised with South West Water and they will be taking bacteriological samples at low tide later today. East Devon Council, as owner of the beach, have put up signs advising against bathing and our Swimfo website carries the same message, advising against bathing.

“As soon as we have the results of South West Water’s sampling we will review the advice. With the current hot weather we appreciate people’s desire to cool off in the sea, but we must carry out our investigations fully and satisfy ourselves that there is no risk to bathers.”

EDDC says that lifeguards have put out red flags on the beach between Orcombe and the lifeboat station to advise against going into the sea in that area until the incident is resolved. Yesterday, a spokesperson for EDDC told Devon Live: “We are currently working with the Environment Agency which raised a pollution incident after reports of black sand with a foul odour near an abandoned sewer line at the eastern end of the beach. Currently, we are unsure whether this is a result of a sewage pollution, a surface water discharge or a natural occurrence.

“South West Water have been notified and will be attending [18 July] and the Environment Agency may also be attending today. Our lifeguards have put out red flags on the beach between Orcombe and the lifeboat station to advise against going into the sea in that area until the incident is resolved.”

SWW claims they have investigated and found that all assets are operating as expected. A SWW spokesperson said: “We’ve investigated the report of a potential issue and found that all of our assets are operating as expected.”

If anyone is concerned about pollution or any environmental incident they should call EA 24 hour incident hotline 0800 80 70 60.

“Conservatives on the ball as usual – arguing like five bald men over a comb while out there in the real world they have created over the last 12 years, real people wonder why they have water shortages while water companies pay billions to CEOs and shareholders instead of building reservoirs or fixing leaks, why they can’t (af)ford to eat, wash or get to work while utility companies post record profits, why filling up their cars needs a bank loan while oil companies post record profits, why their kids have to leave as wealthy incomers buy up all the local housing stock – and why FIrst Past The Post is good enough for us proles while they agonise over repeated rounds of run offs and vote transfers to identify the next star to continue to destroy our communities.”

Posted by the Guardian

A Conservative police and crime commissioner who pledged to crack down on speeding has been banned from driving for six months after being caught breaking the speed limit five times in a 12-week period.

Jessica Murray www.theguardian.com 

Caroline Henry, the PCC for Nottinghamshire, was sentenced at Nottingham magistrates court on Monday after previously admitting the offences.

She was elected in May 2021 after a campaign in which she used the slogan “make Notts safe” and promised to “reduce crime with action, not words”.

She is now facing calls to resign, with Nottingham Labour MP Lilian Greenwood saying “it’s untenable for her to continue in her role”.

The 52-year-old, who is the wife of the Broxtowe MP, Darren Henry, was caught speeding in a blue Mercedes and a silver Lexus with a personalised number plate in 30mph zones at four locations in Nottingham in March, May and June last year.

At a hearing earlier this year, magistrates were told that Henry had written a letter to the court saying she was “very sorry, embarrassed and ashamed”. Two of the offences were committed on consecutive days, the court heard.

Henry was captured over the speed limit twice near a primary school in Daybrook, Nottingham, as well as roads in Chilwell, Beeston and on the city’s A610.

Speed cameras clocked her speed as 40mph in a 30mph zone, with other excess speeds recorded at 35mph and 38mph.

Imposing a £2,450 fine as well as disqualifying her for six months, the district judge, Leo Pyle, said of the offences: “What they show is that you are driving at consistent speeds above the speed limits.”

On her official PCC website, Henry listed ensuring an “effective and efficient” police response to speeding as one of her priorities.

The judge dismissed Henry’s application to keep her driving licence due to “exceptional hardship”.

Her defence solicitor, Rhys Rosser, urged the court not to ban her so she can visit her child in hospital in Salisbury, saying it “cannot be done by public transport”. But district judge Pyle said that, despite it being an “inconvenience”, Henry’s husband could “facilitate” it.

Speaking outside court, Henry declined to comment on whether she would resign. “I am truly sorry for speeding,” she said. “Quite properly, today at Nottingham magistrates court I have been fined and banned from driving for six months.

“I remain committed to serving the people of Nottinghamshire as police and crime commissioner.”

Corruption could never occur in Local Government? -Owl

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com

Questions have been asked on how Mid Devon’s leader is not at risk of corruption after a report by Transparency International UK. Councillor Barry Warren (Lower Culm, Non-Aligned) spoke at a Mid Devon Council meeting on Wednesday, July 6, saying that they released a report entitled Corruption in UK Local Government The Mounting Risks.

He said: “On page 43 of the report is a paragraph which reads ‘council leaders have considerable patronage power which can facilitate corruption. They are able to appoint the members of their cabinet and award chairmanships, all roles which bring financial gain for the recipients in the form of special responsibility allowances.

“This may lead to situations where councillors are unwilling to challenge a leader because they fear losing one of these roles, or where they feel obliged to provide informal favours, such as offering information or turning a blind eye to misconduct.’”

He continued: “Since 2019 election two additional cabinet posts have been created. Seven cabinet members have been removed from their portfolios and replaced by other members and two changes of chairman of scrutiny committee have been instigated. What assurance can the leader give to the residents who are administered by Mid Devon District Council that there is no risk of potential corruption as identified in that report?”

Leader of the council, Councillor Bob Deed (Cadbury, Independent) responded saying: “What you’ve just read out probably applies to Westminster, but it certainly does not apply to Mid District Council.

“In terms of patronage as leader, I have always taken the view that the appointments that I make are based on the available members who would be suitable for the post which I am requesting them to undertake at the time.

“Throughout the last three years, the cabinet at any one time has represented the best available talent that was at my disposal. Patronage doesn’t come into it and never will come into it. I’m not sure that the leader from memory has any control over any committee chair apart from the cabinet because he’s in situ.

“I don’t know why you should think that there might be a problem among members of the cabinet or the leader’s approach in Mid Devon. When I was in the city, I was always considered somebody to be trusted, which was why 25 years ago I had £500million to control in terms of lending. My director never asked me about anything.”

Cllr Warren added: “I wasn’t thinking anything. I saw this and thought we ought to get it out the way because somebody raised it with me from outside. That clears the air nicely.”

People are advised to keep off a section of beach because of a reported pollution incident.

“All of our assets in the area are operating as expected”. – SSW

Has Captain Mainwaring been reincarnated in SWW? – Owl

BBC News www.bbc.co.uk

A large patch of black sand has been found on Exmouth beach. Image source, Google

East Devon District Council said there was a “large patch of black and smelly sand” at the east end of Exmouth beach.

South West Water (SWW) said “all of our assets in the area are operating as expected”.

The council said people should not bathe between Orcombe Point and Exmouth lifeboat station “until this is resolved”.

SWW said it would continue to “monitor the situation”.

The Environment Agency is also investigating.

The Tory contenders to be the next PM won’t discuss how to tackle the crises facing the country and are only interested in slagging each other off, and saying how much they are going to cut taxes and shrink the state. 

So Owl is not surprised that they aren’t interested in trying to convince the general public they have got what it takes to be Prime Minister.

So, for now, all “public debate” is off. 

Sky News has just announced it has cancelled the Tory leadership debate planned for tomorrow night after Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss said they would not take part. This is from Sky’s Tamara Cohen.

Conservative MPs have reacted with shock and sorrow to the scale of “blue-on-blue” attacks in the Conservative leadership race – culminating in bitter clashes during ITV’s debate on Sunday night. 

(Watch for breaking news – Owl)

Anushka Asthana www.itv.com 

Some warned that the in-fighting could “kill” their party, while others said the attacks were “shameful”. 

Westminster WhatsApp groups were “kicking off more than usual” after the debate, according to sources, as people warned about the damage that this could do to the party.

Following a night in which Liz Truss accused the former chancellor Rishi Sunak of driving the country towards recession, and he hit back that her ideas were “socialist”, and Kemi Badenoch accused Tom Tugendhat of failing to have enough experience, while Penny Mordaunt faced attacks over trans issues, MPs started messaging each other over WhatsApp.

They warned that the debate, but also “smears” in the newspaper, threatened to damage the party because of the divisiveness.

In messages seen by ITV News, one MP warned: “The division, smears and personal attacks this weekend have been disgraceful. Nothing will kill our party more than blue on blue.”

WhatsApp messages sent by Tory MPs as in-fighting threatens to destroy the party.

Another wrote: “We have an 80-seat majority and have spent time in-fighting and bringing down the party and are now fighting publicly. It’s shameful. I can’t believe this is happening.” 

One MP told ITV news that it was more “sorry than anger” in terms of the mood, but admitted: “It’s hard to see how people partner up when they go so hard at each other.”

WhatsApp messages seen by ITV News.

The battle continued on Monday morning as Liz Truss’s team highlighted a new analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggesting that there will be £60bn more than the Office for Budget Responsibility’s base estimates in 2024/25.

Setting out the foreign secretary’s plans to use that to help families, a spokesperson said: “Under Rishi Sunak’s time as chancellor the tax burden in the UK has risen to the highest it has been in 70 years and the UK is forecast to have the lowest growth in the G20.”

Mordaunt tried to hit back at newspaper briefings suggesting she had changed her mind on the issue of whether trans people should be able to “self identify”, saying: “It is unedifying… I know why this is being done, but all attempts to paint me as an out-of-touch individual will fail.”

Some argued that the TV debates had been a mistake. 

Westminster Whatsapp groups were “kicking off more than usual” after the debate.

But not everyone agreed that there should not be robust attacks. One MP wrote: “Disagree. If we are changing a PM without the public’s permission then the public deserve to see who we are making the next PM.”

However, this morning it emerged that Rishi Sunak would no longer do a Sky News debate on Tuesday, but would now only do one when the competition was down to the final two. 

Vital sea defences to save Sidmouth’s crumbling coastline and protect the Esplanade has now gone up by £5million increasing the estimated cost to a total of £19million. Last October, East Devon District Council (EDDC) and the Sidmouth and East Beach Beach Management Plan Project Advisory Group approved a new and improved £14 million outline proposal.

Anita Merritt www.devonlive.com 

It is now proposing to proceed to the next stage, with plans to secure the extra funding from government or by bridging the shortfall if required. The aim is to start work on the scheme in spring 2025, giving Sidmouth seafront and East Beach the coastal defences it needs.

Both locations are said to be at increasing risk from predicted storm events due to climate change. Plans to protect vital flood defences for the town, which would also better protect the Esplanade and the town’s crumbling cliffs above East Beach, have long been needed and discussed.

After changes to DEFRA funding in 2020, EDDC was able to start work on plans for a new ‘hybrid option’ to replace the former 2018 ‘preferred option’. This option includes at least one additional rock island, which may reduce the need to raise the splash wall along The Esplanade and could lower the long-term costs of recharging the beach with new material, which will be needed in the future.

The hybrid option still includes a 120m rock-groyne at East Beach and requires a beach recharge on both East Beach and the town beach. This option was originally costed using 2020/21 prices, with funding coming from EDDC, Devon County Council, Sidmouth Town Council and the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, along with DEFRA grant funding.

An outline business case is currently being prepared for the Sidmouth Beach Management Scheme (BMS) readying it for submission to the Environment Agency (EA) for funding. The increase in the cost of the scheme is said to be due to a number of factors including material costs rising by up to 200 per cent; diesel costs rising by 50 per cent as low VAT Red Diesel is no longer allowed; staff shortages caused by a smaller labour pool after leaving the EU; ongoing Covid issues; the Russia-Ukraine war increasing energy costs further; construction risks such as availability of materials and equipment and the danger of cliff falls on East Beach.

Sidmouth’s East Beach (Image: Daniel Clark)

A cross-country campaign has been launched by all the bodies developing flood and coastal defence projects seeking to change Government funding to enable the projects to proceed. The Sidmouth BMS is being used as an example to explain the urgent requirement for extra funding to avoid these government-funded schemes from failing.

To allow the scheme to progress, the authority will submit a report to EDDC’s cabinet and full council, seeking approval for the additional funds from the capital budget as a temporary loan until further money can be secured from elsewhere.

Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC’s portfolio holder for coast country and environment and chair of the Sidmouth BMP Project Advisory Group, said: “The estimated uplift in costs is most worrying, but the advisory group considers that these works must proceed urgently to protect Sidmouth from the increasing risk from predicted storm events due to climate change. Therefore, the recommendation to proceed to the next stage will be put to a full council meeting shortly.

“I would like to thank our engineers’ officers, consultants and all members of the advisory group for all their work to get to this important stage.”

The anticipated timeline:

• Late summer 2022 – Submit the funding case for approval to EA, which if successful, secures the funding in principle. Approval should be granted by autumn 2022.
• Late autumn 2022 – Work on the scope of the detailed design stage with a sub group made from members of the Sidmouth and East Beach BMP Project Advisory Group. They will help represent Sidmouth residents, providing guidance on what the town needs from the scheme, what it looks like, how it will work and how it will be designed and built. This will include discussions on the number and position of additional rock breakwaters.
• Early 2023 – Finalise the scope for the detailed design.
• Followed by – Appointing an engineering consultant to manage the detailed design process and prepare for construction.
• Summer 2023 – autumn 2024 – Public consultation on the detailed design and propose a planning application.
• Autumn 2024 – Early 2025 – Appoint a contractor to build the scheme.
• Spring 2025 – Start construction.

A multi-millionaire Tory tycoon is refusing to hand over £500,000 of donations from himself to the party – unless Boris Johnson is given a chance to remain Prime Minister.

Dan Bloom www.mirror.co.uk (Extract)

Peter Cruddas – who Mr Johnson put in the Lords against official advice – said there has been a “coup” against the PM and said he should be allowed to be on the ballot for a new leader.

He told the Sunday Times: “I planned to donate a total of £500,000 this year but that is on hold and will not be paid unless the membership have a chance to vote on Boris being PM.

“I have no interest in Rishi who I deem to be not fit for high office due to his plotting and the orchestrated way he and others resigned to remove the PM.”

Five candidates remain to be Tory leader under rules agreed by the Conservative Party – which decided Mr Johnson would be barred from standing again.

Last year Boris Johnson overruled advice from the Appointments Commission to put Peter Cruddas in the Lords after he failed its vetting process.

Hitting net zero came bottom of a list of ten policy areas, behind cutting personal taxes, increasing defence spending and strengthening Britain’s global standing in YouGov survey.

Most pressing concern is winning the next election!

Right now these are the people with our future in their hands. Scary! – Owl

George Grylls www.thetimes.co.uk

Conservative Party members care very little about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, polling shows.

Only 4 per cent of those surveyed said that hitting the target of net-zero emissions by 2050 was one of their three priorities for the next Tory leader.

Members said the most pressing concern was winning the next election, followed by controlling immigration and helping families with the cost of living, a YouGov survey for The Times showed.

In April a poll for the think tank Onward found that 64 per cent of all voters supported the government’s plans to hit net zero. Nine per cent were opposed.

In the YouGov poll, 56 per cent of the Tory party members surveyed said that winning the next election was the most important issue. Hitting net zero came bottom of a list of ten policy areas, behind cutting personal taxes, increasing defence spending and strengthening Britain’s global standing.

Alok Sharma, the cabinet minister who led the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow last year, has threatened to resign in protest at “lukewarm” commitments by Tory leadership candidates on the environment. He said that the failure of the five remaining contenders to commit themselves unequivocally to net zero emissions by 2050 risked causing “incredible damage” to British diplomacy.

Sharma told The Observer: “Anyone aspiring to lead our country needs to demonstrate that they take this issue incredibly seriously, that they’re willing to continue to lead and take up the mantle that Boris Johnson started off. I want to see candidates very proactively set out their support for our net-zero agenda for green growth. This is absolutely a leadership issue.”

Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, who came third in the first and second ballots of Tory MPs on Wednesday and Thursday, has promised to suspend the green energy levy to help households struggling with the cost of living. This would cost £4.2 billion a year.

Sharma said that the policy would not address the real cause of higher bills. “We need to very clearly understand what is actually driving the price of energy. It isn’t green levies, it is the wholesale gas price,” he said.

In 2019 the government committed itself to the 2050 target via an amendment to the Climate Change Act. Other candidates who have suggested they might change environmental policies if elected Tory leader include Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat. Badenoch called the 2050 target “arbitrary”. Tugendhat is reported to have told a hustings of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers that he thought the date should be delayed. However, he later reaffirmed his commitment to the target.

Asked if he would consider resigning if a candidate who was weak on net zero were elected, Sharma, 54, said: “I don’t rule anything out and I don’t rule anything in.”

This selection process, on display for the third time in six years, is symptomatic of a floundering political system

Aimee Meade inews.co.uk 

A few hours before the first Tory leadership debate was broadcast on Channel 4, I was talking to a terrific palliative care team. At one point, the doctor said in matter-of-fact manner that there was no point trying to call an ambulance these days since it might take up to five hours to arrive. I was astonished. We were talking in the centre of London, not a remote rural area. Yet this dismal situation comes amid routine stories of staff shortages, handover delays at hospitals, more people using emergency services due to an inability to access GPs, even avoidable deaths among waiting patients. The data shows average ambulance waiting times even for serious conditions is now more than double the target.

Clearly the health service is creaking under pressure. Partly this is the legacy of Covid-19. But it is also tied to the collapsing social-care system, which Boris Johnson promised to fix but remains trapped in a catastrophic crisis that is devastating millions of families. Accident-and-emergency waiting times are at record levels. Patient satisfaction is plummeting. Delayed diagnosis for conditions such as cancer will cause thousands of preventable deaths, leaving doctors to lament over lives they might have saved with earlier treatment.

Yet the picture is more complex than presented by shroud-waving medical unions. NHS funding has risen sharply since the Tories came to power in 2010. According to the King’s Fund think tank, Britain entered the Covid crisis spending a similar slice of its economy on health to comparable nations – yet treatment outcomes for many major conditions are significantly worse.

Health soaks up a rapidly growing proportion of day-to-day public spending in our ageing society and amid stunning scientific advances: rising from less than a third in 2010 to a predicted 44 per cent by 2024. Yet still we see a succession of patient safety scandals – and these tend to harm or kill older, female or disabled citizens.

Clearly health is a major issue. Yet when it came up in the first broadcast leadership debate, the discussion was unbearably banal. Rishi Sunak thanked doctors for “heroic” work and said he “really believed” in the NHS as proved by his funding. Kemi Badenoch said her chipped tooth showed the access difficulties in dentistry, then said the NHS needed more efficiency. Tom Tugendhat expressed gratitude to the NHS for treating injured army colleagues and delivering his children. Liz Truss said the NHS did “a fantastic job” during the pandemic but “we need to work as hard as we can to reduce the backlog.” Penny Mordaunt at least seemed to have some grasp of issues, although offered little more than calling for fewer caveats on spending while stating the obvious by saying innovation and prevention were vital.

Badenoch concluded by saying “there must be things we can do differently that would improve how we can tackle these issues”. But surely the point of a leadership contest is to present ideas and reforms for tackling such problems rather than simply spewing out a stream of cliches and inanities? This battle is, after all, picking our nation’s next prime minister. Badenoch still looks the most impressive candidate on the party right, yet she is such a blank sheet that after five years in parliament and serving in three ministerial offices her position on anything to do with China – the single most important foreign-policy issue – could not be discerned by a group of analysts monitoring relations with Beijing.

She does, however, have strong views on gender-neutral toilets; indeed, makeshift “Mens” and “Ladies” signs were taped to the doors at her launch event. This rammed home her strident opposition to gender self-identification, an issue seized on by culture warriors on the right despite being backed by the Commons’ Women and Equalities Committee and implemented in about 20 countries including Ireland and the United States. As a consequence, this subject has soaked up far more space in the leadership struggle than, say, the decrepit state of health and care systems or how to handle the rise of China under a belligerent nationalist dictatorship that are, dare I say, far more important to the future well-being of our country.

This battle for power has been a dispiriting spectacle so far – a tribal beauty contest scarred by smears and snide asides but devoid of serious policy ideas, let alone inspirational signs of fresh vision. They talk of delivery but ignore that Tory failures in office have resulted in low pay, a sluggish economy and struggling public services. The problem is that the candidates are seeking first the votes of 358 Tory MPs, so reliant on backroom deals and job offers struck secretly in Westminster, and then pitching to a party membership that is overwhelmingly white, older, male, middle-class and concentrated in safe Tory seats. So they strike hardline poses on migration, posture about tax cuts, pretend Brexit is a success, polish up their life stories and shy away from the toughest questions confronting our nation.

This selection process, on display for the third time in six years, is symptomatic of a floundering political system. It exposes a party searching desperately for a saviour after choosing a woman who proved not up to the job, followed by a man who was untrustworthy for high office. It is contemptuous of the electorate to impose a prime minister in this manner, especially when modern party leaders adopt a presidential style and determine election outcomes – as seen clearly in 2019 when Johnson cut through the Red Wall and Jeremy Corbyn repelled moderates. People may have strong views on whether Tugendhat won the first debate, Truss was a disaster or Sunak will emerge victorious. But few voters will be left inspired by this next wave of leaders jousting for power, let alone feel reassured over the future of our country.

The developer behind a controversial new build in Truro has been slammed by locals after it quietly lowered the number of affordable homes it promised to build. Wain Homes recently put forward its detailed plan to build 275 new properties at Dudman Farm, at Highertown in Truro.

Developers pleading poverty as usual – Owl

Edward Church www.cornwalllive.com 

Wain Homes pledged 30% of the homes will be sold as affordable – below market rate prices – in the application submitted in May 2022. Outline planning permission for the project was approved in 2016 on the basis that the affordable housing figure was at 40%.

Truro City Council’s planning committee was sent the reserved matters – the more detailed plans such as layout and design after outline permission is granted – to look over last week. Committee members, several of whom live in the area, strongly objected to the plans, with one, Councillor Karen La Borde, saying it’s unacceptable that the number of affordable houses could be changed at this stage.

Cllr La Borde said: “In 2016, the outline planning permission was agreed by Cornwall Council. The one thing which gets me overall is that the application is so old.

“When they agreed it, it was going to be 40% affordable housing, but now they say the site is unviable and they’ll do 30%, which is 5% less than they need and 10% less than they agreed to before. They say it’s viability, but surely they knew the site before they went there.

“They want their profit, it’s speculative development. They’ll be making profit and the people of Truro are losing out. They should not have been allowed six years to do this. We’re in a different time from 2016, we have different priorities.”

The 2022 planning documents submitted by Wain Homes said the 40% figure was not financially viable. The application reads: “The existing Section 106 agreement requires a 40% provision of affordable housing which would generate 110 affordable units across the scheme. This is above the policy requirement of 35% which would generate 97 affordable units.

“Due to viability considerations the application however proposes a level of 30% affordable housing which would generate 82 affordable units. The tenure split is proposed as 70% affordable rented homes and 30% intermediate housing for sale which accords with the Section 106 agreement.

“As the overall percentage would not be policy compliant, this will be subject to a separate request for a deed of variation to the existing Section 106 supported by the requisite viability assessment as required by Local Plan Policy 10: Managing viability.”

In short, the agreed terms of the Section 106 agreement from 2014-16, when it was submitted and approved, respectively, are being changed. The final decision is with Cornwall Council, which must respond by August 26.

Cllr La Borde, who also sits on Kenwyn Parish Council, which encompasses the area of Highertown including Dudman Farm, also joined many other locals in criticising the development as a whole on ecological grounds. She said: “The reaction to the idea of building 275 houses on that land is quite emotional.

A“Locals have been using the land for up to 20 years since it stopped being used for farmland. It’s become a public resource. We’re all used to it now, even more so after Covid. During lockdown it became a bit like the M1 down there, people going out all the time.

“It’s a very valuable resource. It’s not an easy site to develop because of the valley and the train track. But it’s just valuable land for the wellbeing of the people that live from Malabar to Threemilestone.

There are plans to build 275 homes at Highertown, Truro (Image: Google)

“It’s easily accessible and residents will be losing this great asset. We have a site over there that is sucking up as much carbon as it can as it’s been left for so long. Semi mature oak trees which will all have to go, the meadows of wild flowers are absolutely stunning.

“And, much has changed since the outline plans were approved. We now have 4,000 houses being built at Langarth, another 400 at Pydar Street and the city will have exceeded its national determinants for housing. We’re in a good spot in Truro, we don’t need these 275 houses here with the other developments.”

Martin Webster, who lives in an estate very near to the Dudman Farm site, said the area – which has become a popular walking spot – saved his life during the Covid lockdown. Mr Webster explained that it would be a huge loss for him, personally, should the development go ahead at all.

He said: “I’m a former veteran, served for 12 years and have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). It was a lifesaver to walk in that countryside during lockdown and I know it saved a lot of other people’s lives.

“Having that unspoilt beauty removed, for me, it’s criminal. For someone who fought for it, I despise it and think the developers should be held accountable.”

Mr Webster said on a practical level he thinks the development will be disastrous for the area: “How will people feel here when their kids are in a class of 80 not 40? How much more of the natural area will be gone?

“Surely you need to improve the infrastructure of Truro before you start to okay these houses. There should be affordable housing for people but that’s not the priority for these companies.

“There’s lovely little pictures of the family, but it’s bulls**t. You go to houses on new builds and after two years they’re having to rebuild them. Also, the in road is always blocked with lots of cars. Imagine what it’ll be like when you’ve got 275 more houses being built.”

Cllr Steven Webb, mayor of Truro, told CornwallLive he felt it was wrong for a developer to sit on outline planning for this long and not have to start from scratch – given the changing priorities of local planning boards.

Fifty-two other locals added their criticisms on the council’s planning portal. Colin Andrews said: “It clashes with local policies. It is not needed. The council has met its housing need for Truro. It will have a negative impact on a local amenity.

“Biodiversity net gain cannot be met by the developer and wildlife will be destroyed. Not in the neighbourhood plan. It will increase pressure on a struggling traffic network.”

Sarah Searle added: “I walk with my dog and my young family daily in the area and to see the wildlife decimated and the green space disappear forever would be a travesty. Cornwall Council please do not approve planning. We are losing our green space in Cornwall at a mighty speed but we need it for our mental health and wildlife needs our help.

“We are in a climate emergency, take notice, do something to help and don’t approve nearly 300 houses in a green space where the road infrastructure is already at breaking point. Please listen to local people, the green space is important to us all. It’s was used so much during the pandemic and continues to be a popular place to walk and spend time outdoors. We can’t afford to lose it!”