Two councils in England represented by Tory ministers have received money under the government’s flagship “levelling-up” fund despite being among the least deprived fifth of local authorities nationwide.

Niamh McIntyre www.theguardian.com 

The health secretary Sajid Javid’s constituency of Bromsgrove got £14.5m in the first announced tranche of cash under the scheme.

Central Bedfordshire, which received £26.7m in levelling-up funding for transport improvements and a community wellbeing hub, is partly represented by Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary.

Lewes council, which is represented by the Conservative MP Maria Caulfield, received the ninth-largest per capita award despite being among the least deprived 40% of local authorities. Lewes received funding for local seafood industries and will also benefit from an East Sussex bid for a new road bridge in Seaford.

A number of areas of high deprivation received large awards, including Burnley and Stoke-on-Trent, which got £19.9m and £56m respectively.

Alex Cunningham, the Labour MP for Stockton North, which includes an area that missed out on funding, said: “The Tories like to talk a good game on levelling up, but this is yet more proof that it is an empty slogan and that pork barrel politics is the name of the game.

“I think it’s high time that the prime minister, chancellor and levelling-up secretary come clean and explain to the people of Billingham, and other areas that have significant levels of deprivation but missed out on much needed funding, why they feel places like Yarm and Eaglescliffe in the Tees Valley, and Bromsgrove and Central Bedfordshire further afield, are more deserving of the levelling-up cash than they are.”

The government’s levelling-up fund is designed to combat regional inequality by investing in infrastructure that “brings pride to a local area”, according to the scheme’s prospectus.

Just under half of the 65 English local authorities that will benefit from funding announced in last week’s budget are among the country’s most deprived fifth. However, Bromsgrove, Central Bedfordshire and the Isles of Scilly – which is to receive funding for a ferry service – are among the country’s least deprived.

Although more Labour councils than Conservative-controlled ones received funding in this first tranche, Tory councils did better per capita at £93 per head of population compared with £65 per head for Labour councils. Councils with no overall control received £102 per head while the two Liberal Democrat areas announced thus far, Eastbourne and Hinckley and Bosworth, are in line to receive £183 per capita.

Where funding was originally allocated to a county council or city region, the Guardian analysis split the funding across the lower-tier councils that will benefit from a scheme.

The announced funding is part of the Conservative party’s broader “levelling-up agenda”. Other announcements have already been made under the towns fund and the future high streets fund while a further pot, the £220m community renewal fund, is yet to be announced.

The first tranche of the £4.8bn levelling-up fund announced last week included cultural regeneration funding for Liverpool’s waterfront and the reopening of the Whorlton Bridge over the River Tees.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “This analysis is nonsense. The selection process for the levelling-up fund is transparent, robust and fair, and we publish the criteria on gov.uk.

“The first round of funding will help to ensure opportunity is spread more equally across the UK by empowering local leaders, improving public services and restoring pride in place.”

• This article was amended on 2 November 2021. A Beatles-inspired attraction in Liverpool will not be funded by the levelling-up fund as an earlier version stated.

Nicola Daniel has asked Owl to publish the following: 

In my email letter to the Times on Sunday which inspired Tom Ball’s article on the Otter wild beaver colony threatened by sewage (he phoned to discuss it with me). I made a further point, not picked up in the article.

South West Water’s contribution to the £15 million Lower Otter Restoration Project is to renew the original sewer pipe running along the shingle bar and under the river. This is in order that the Budleigh Salterton’s sewage holding tank under the Lime Kiln carpark can still discharge under the sea at the Otter ledge. (In 2020 this happened 60 times, 591 hours). I find this very disturbing that money is available to replace a pipe which will continue to discharge untreated excrement and not to seek to remove the excrement in an environmental friendly way. 

This excrement is just a small percentage of the sewage vented into the bay at Budleigh Salterton. The river is very contaminated and the beavers not only live in  Honiton’s sewage but overspills from all the settlements along the river. eg Newton Poppleford had 90 discharges, 442 hours in 2020. Surely SWW could sort out the sewage for a village of approximately 1,800?  This pours into the sea. 

In the last few years at least swimmers could consult a board indicating if it was safe to swim in the bay. Not anymore. It has not been repaired all during the summer.  

To my mind the only solution to this disgraceful saga is to cease all house building along the river Otter until our effluent is disposed of in a manner appropriate to the standards of a civilised society living in 2021. 

Footnote from Owl: Remember that the Pennon group, owners of South West Water which provides 83% of its profits, has aspirations to take a leading voice in how our local economy is run. It describes itself as: the leading UK infrastructure group behind the ‘Great South West’ Growth Charter. With this record of putting profits before pollution, this is scary!

Let’s hope he is successful for once! – Owl.

Simon Jupp Conservative, East Devon

The grounds of Tipton St John Primary School in East Devon have been flooded for the second time in a week. Previous flooding of the school led the Environment Agency and the Department for Education to warn of a risk to life. Earlier this year, plans to move the school to Ottery St Mary were rejected by local councillors. Will my hon. Friend please include flood risk in the criteria for the next phase of the school rebuilding programme?

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• (Citation: HC Deb, 1 November 2021, c608)

Robin Walker The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, Minister of State (Education)

As one who represents a constituency where schools have been flooded, I am sympathetic to the issues my hon. Friend has raised. The Department is aware of the flood risk to the school, and is working with the relevant parties to find a solution. We have consulted on how to select schools for the next round of the school rebuilding programme, and we are currently considering the extent to which flood risk will be part of the selection criteria, alongside other condition and safety concerns.

Yesterday the Times, today the Red Tops.

South West Water says it is “totally committed” to supporting beaver habitats.

[Releasing untreated sewage into the Otter, on average, two or three times a week from Honiton (more from elsewhere) seems a strange way to show this – Owl]

Any comment from Simon Jupp MP or Neil Parish MP?

Funding for flood prevention works at Feniton, costing nearly £4 million, has been secured after two years of waiting.

www.radioexe.co.uk 

Sixty-six properties are at risk of flooding in the East Devon village, as is the main road which floods regularly.

The school has been evacuated on numerous occasions, because of concerns about children being able to get home safely.

Phases one and two of the Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme were completed in 2015 and involved channel improvements downstream of Feniton.

Phase three and four needed further funding approval. Unexpected costs also arose with building an undertrack rail crossing and a new large pipe (culvert) system through Feniton.

The village has suffered regular flooding since the 1960s. Two of the largest flooding incidents happened in 2008 and 2012 and in the past two months alone it has flooded twice.

The new works include building large (culvert) pipes, more than one metre in diameter, from the top to the bottom of the village, providing a by-pass around the existing drainage network.

EDDC will now be working with Network Rail to find the next available date to close the railway and carry out an undertrack railway crossing, with the rest of the scheme following after that is complete.

Cllr Geoff Jung, EDDC’s portfolio holder for coast, country and environment, said: “All flood elevation schemes are difficult to deliver with complicated historic drainage systems, many land ownership issues and many funding and budget complications. I would like to thank ex-councillor Susie Bond who was the Feniton district councillor for many years until moving away last year who encouraged and championed this project almost none stop whilst she was a councillor. Finally, through her tenacity and drive the district council will finally deliver this scheme.”

EDDC’s Feniton ward councillor, Alasdair Bruce said:“Let’s hope this brings closer to and end the anguish and stress those in Feniton and the surrounding area have suffered for too long. The mental health issues associated with a flooding event cannot be overstated, it undermines the fundamental premise that your home is your castle as well as your sanctuary. Provided Network Rail now get on and deliver,  this woeful chapter can be consigned to the history of Feniton.”

The parts of the UK where Covid cases are continuing to rise

Neil Shaw www.devonlive.com

Covid-19 case rates are continuing to rise in nearly one in five local areas in the UK, with sharp increases recorded in the East Midlands, latest figures show.

Rates in most areas are now falling, however, with national rates also on a downward trend, suggesting the third wave of the virus is now being driven by localised outbreaks rather than a country-wide surge in new cases.

A total of 66 of the 377 local authority areas in the UK (18%) recorded a week-on-week rise in rates in the seven days to October 27, while 311 (82%) saw a fall, according to PA news agency analysis of Government data.

(PA Graphics)

South-west England continues to have the highest rates of any part of the UK, but they are now falling in 26 of the 29 local authorities in the region.

In Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, the rate is down from 1,228.5 cases per 100,000 people to 846.6, while neighbouring Stroud has seen its rate fall from 1,230.7 to 818.0.

Rates are also dropping in nearly all areas of eastern England, London, north-west England and the West Midlands, while every area in Wales is currently recording a week-on-week fall.

By contrast, of the 10 local areas with the biggest week-on-week increase in rates, five are in Leicestershire: Blaby (up from 363.9 to 496.3), Leicester (312.7 to 415.2), Charnwood (341.3 to 432.6), Hinckley & Bosworth (482.1 to 569.2) and Harborough (390.4 to 476.3).

Nearby Rutland has also recorded an increase (from 392.8 to 471.9), as have other areas in the East Midlands including South Holland in Lincolnshire (416.2 to 472.6) and Nottingham (253.9 to 304.4).

This pattern is not the same for the whole of the region, however, with all areas in Derbyshire and Northamptonshire recording a fall.

There is a similarly mixed picture in other regions, such as south-east England, where parts of Kent and West Sussex are currently seeing a rise in rates but all areas of Hampshire and Berkshire are falling.

(PA Graphics)

The data suggests a shift in the third wave of coronavirus, from a broad rise in new cases across most of the country to increases that are limited to pockets of areas.

It is too soon to say if this shift has been caused by specific events or changes in behaviour, such as the recent school half-term holiday or the rollout of Covid-19 vaccine booster doses.

The Orkney Islands in Scotland have seen the biggest week-on-week increase in rates in the latest figures, up from 227.7 cases per 100,000 to 366.1 – though because of the small population size, this is the equivalent of 82 new cases, up from 51.

In 10 of the 32 local authorities in Scotland rates have increased, along with three of the 11 authorities in Northern Ireland.

Rates remains at a relatively high level across the UK, with only one area (the Shetland Islands) currently below 100 cases per 100,000 people.

But with a majority of local authority areas seeing a fall in new cases in the latest figures, all four nations are now showing a clear downwards trend in rates for the first time in several weeks.

England’s rate stood at 422.1 as of October 27, down week-on-week from 489.8.

In Scotland the rate is 301.4, down from 332.0; Wales is down from 742.5 to 570.1; and Northern Ireland has fallen from 470.0 to 442.7.

Imagine you’ve been in contact with someone who has Covid. So, you do the right thing and order a PCR test. You are relieved when the test comes back negative – and you continue to take your children to school, go into work and care for your elderly relatives.

goodlawproject.org

Then, six weeks later, you are contacted by a private testing firm who tell you you’re at the centre of one of the biggest scandals of the pandemic so far…

Along with tens of thousands of others, you were wrongly told you didn’t have Covid when, actually, you did. Through no fault of your own, the lives of your family and friends have been put in serious danger.

This is the horror story facing 43,000 people who used a private testing firm that the Government assured us was safe. The scandal-hit lab is based in Wolverhampton and owned by a company called Immensa. Now, Covid rates in the South West are soaring higher than anywhere else in the country. 

Thousands of lives have been put at risk. How on earth could this be allowed to happen?

Government should have known about these major failings within days of the problem arising, yet it took weeks for them to shut down the site. Shockingly, Immensa is still being allowed to process people’s PCR tests for travel at their lab in Loughborough.

And now it transpires that Immensa was never fully accredited to carry out tests, despite the Government previously insisting it was. And somehow, it was awarded a £119m Government contract in September last year without going through the normal tendering process. 

We’ve written to Health Secretary Sajid Javid asking him to immediately terminate Immensa’s contracts, compensate those affected and to take action to properly regulate private testing firms. How many more wake-up calls does this Government need before it starts putting people’s safety ahead of private firms’ interests? 

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

[And don’t forget the beavers trying to survive in it, as reported in the Times yesterday – Owl]

Dear Neil Parish MP,

Sewer storm overflows spilled over 1,000 times and for over 10,000 hours into your Tiverton and Honiton constituency watercourses, using government permits, in the year 2020. In the same period tens of thousands of spills flowed into water courses across the South West for hundreds of thousands of hours.

Neil, these outcomes were predicted when in you voted in favour of deregulation of the private water industry, and for a 75% reduction of Environment Agency funding.

According to South West water’s own figures reported by The Rivers Trust, these are just a few of the spills recorded in Tiverton and Honiton constituency in 2020:

• Seaton South sewer storm overflow spilled 59 times into the River Axe Estuary for a total of 877 hours, using a government permit.

• Holcombe Rogus sewer storm overflow spilled 207 times into tributary of River Lyner for a total of 3085 hours, using a government permit.

• Honiton sewer storm overflow spilled 137 times into the River Otter for a total of 2442 hours, using a government permit.

• Kilmington sewer storm overflow spilled 163 times into the River Axe for a total of 1681 hours, using a government permit.

• Tiverton’s Westexe sewer storm overflow spilled 130 times into the River Exe for a total of 2120 hours, using a government permit.

• Tiverton’s Little Silver sewer storm overflow spilled 107 times into the River Exe for a total of 1191 hours, using a government permit.

• Broadhembury sewer storm overflow spilled 41 times into the Tale River for a total of 452 hours using a government permit

• Cullompton’s Duke Street sewer storm overflow spilled 57 times into the River Culm for a total of 900 hours, using a government permit.

• Bampton sewer storm overflow spilled 73 times for a total of 1716 hours into the River Batherm, using a government permit.

• Colyton sewer storm overflow spilled 63 times for a total of 700 hours into the River Axe using a government permit.

• Dunkeswell sewer storm overflow spilled 55 times into the Madford River for a total of 268 hours, using a government permit.

• Willand sewer storm overflow spilled 75 times into the River Culm for a total of 1233 hours, using a government permit.

• Sampford Peverell sewer storm overflow spilled 123 times into Spratford Stream for a total of 1125 hours, using a government permit.

• Halberton’s Corner Lane sewer storm overflow spilled into Halberton Stream 69 times for a total of 308 hours, using a government permit.

Neil, you let residents down when you voted with the government against the Sewage Bill. The time for action is now. I urge your government to:

1. Make funding and regulatory support available to farmers upstream specifically to invest in restorative farming and land management for increased ground water retention
2. Restore the £1 billion a year the Chancellor has pocketed away from Britain’s flood defences over a decade
3. Ensure that South West Water invests in infrastructure upgrades to cope with the clear evidence of increasing peak volumes in the watercourses
4. Regulate new housing development to require sustainable urban drainage systems
5. Outlaw the widespread practice of granting planning permission to developers for new building on floodplains
6. Restore the 40% of central funding the Chancellor has pocketed away over a decade from local authority highways’ maintenance budgets for our gullies, easements, buddle holes, grips , ditches and drains

As the longstanding Chair of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Committee, and as our MP, these are failures of your most basic of responsibilities. Decisive action must start now. Your residents are horrified by the sheer volume of pollutants in our environment, in our food chain and in the water we swim in. Will you commit to supporting these six immediate priorities, or remain complicit in this government’s conscious degradation of Britain’s natural environment?

Sincerely,

Liz Pole

Constituency Spokesperson

Tiverton and Honiton Labour Party

• Beech (T1) – The tree has been pruned historically on a cyclical basis and the following phase of the works are to be carried out: Reduce north eastern aspect of crown by approximately 2 metres in lateral growth reducing north eastern crown spread from approximately 7 metres to 5 metres Wainholm West 13 Knowle Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6ARRef. No: 21/2796/TRE | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing agricultural building and construction of 3 no. dwellinghouses (alternative to residential change of use of agricultural building to 5 no. dwellings under Class Q approval reference 19/2650/PDQ) Barn West Of Tale Head Cottage PayhemburyRef. No: 21/2780/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey rear extension, garage conversion, internal alterations and extension to raised terrace. 3 Heritage Way Sidmouth EX10 9JYRef. No: 21/2788/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear extension to garage and garage roof. Heather Moor Yawl Hill Lane Uplyme Lyme Regis DT7 3RWRef. No: 21/2767/FUL | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of application 20/0655/FUL (Construction of two storey front and rear extensions, including balcony to the rear. Construction of first floor extension to the side and single storey extension to existing garage. Provision of cladding to main house and insertion of new first floor window to SW elevation) 11 Northview Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6BZRef. No: 21/2764/VAR | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side extension and detached garage. 4 Court Lane Seaton EX12 2ATRef. No: 21/2778/FUL | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing garage and erection of a single storey side extension for provision of annexe and store. 123 Langstone Drive Exmouth EX8 4JERef. No: 21/2768/FUL | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey extension to rear elevation (between house and side of garage), partial conversion of garage to habitable use and first floor extension to rear elevation. Windyridge Church Lane Alfington Ottery St Mary EX11 1PERef. No: 21/2755/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of roof space to habitable use to include raising of roof, 2 x front and 2 x rear dormers with 2 x rooflights with associated first floor balcony and single storey side extension with alterations to fenestration. Rooks Acre Rousdon Lyme Regis DT7 3XRRef. No: 21/2757/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing outbuildings and construction of new garage with workshop above Crisland Cottage Yarcombe Honiton EX14 9ABRef. No: 21/2758/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Part two storey part single storey side extension Forelands Redwood Road Sidmouth EX10 9ADRef. No: 21/2753/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) to planning application 20/1808/FUL. Treaslake Farm Buckerell Honiton EX14 3EPRef. No: 21/2756/VAR | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side extension and single storey front extension with alterations to fenestration. 9 Farmway Feniton Honiton EX14 3BXRef. No: 21/2754/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Wild cherry tree : fell because starting to undermine bank on our property by Gilbrook stream and branches growing up to BT telephone lines. Advised by tree surgeon to fell. Replanting mixed hedge of Hazel, Hawthorn, blackthorn, beech, sloe – approx 18 total. Brookfield Cottage Woodbury Exeter EX5 1LGRef. No: 21/2749/TCA | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Lime (T1 & T2) Remove all regrowth from southern side of Lime pollards back to clients boundary. Reason: Prune because trees are beginning to encroach onto neighbours property 115 Sidford Road Sidmouth EX10 9PARef. No: 21/2744/TRE | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Blue Atlas Cedar (T1) : Reduce height by approximately 1.5-2 metres making no cuts greater than approximately 35mm in diameter leaving tree with finished height of approx. 9m and 7m crown spread. Reason: Manage tree to appropriate size for its location. 3 Villa Maison 4 Cyprus Road Exmouth EX8 2DZRef. No: 21/2743/TRE | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of condition number 2 (approved plans) of application 21/1295/FUL (Demolition of existing workshop to be replaced with a new self-build dwelling). 1 Hamlet Cottages Weston Honiton EX14 3PBRef. No: 21/2741/VAR | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• B8 storage and distribution with ancillary offices on site Land Adjacent To Main Yard Lodge Trading Estate BroadclystRef. No: 21/2740/CPE | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing garage and erection of single storey annex Fourwinds Lime Kiln Lane Uplyme Lyme Regis DT7 3XGRef. No: 21/2736/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side extension and part two storey part single storey rear extension. Oak Tree House Trinity Hill Road Axminster EX13 5SSRef. No: 21/2734/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Birch (T1): Fell as competing with neighbouring Beech. Trees are too close together and cannot coexist in the long term. The Beech presents a better choice in regards to retention. There is no plan to re-plant as the area is already heavily wooded and 30 new trees have already been planted at the site. Beech (T2): Tree has been reduced in height previously and the client would like similar work carried out again so they can enjoy more of their vista. Reduce height of tree by approximately 2 meters in line with previous work carried out leaving a tree of approximately 13m in height. The Warren Warren Park West Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1TNRef. No: 21/2745/TRE | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Oak (T1) : Tree is showing signs of entering the beginning stages of retrenchment ; reduce overall dimensions of crown by approximately 2 metres in height and approximately 4 metres in lateral spread to leave finished dimensions of approximately 8 metres in height and 8 metres in lateral spread. works should be viewed as part of an ongoing cyclical process. 14 Stoneyford Park Budleigh Salterton EX9 6TBRef. No: 21/2738/TRE | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Oak: To reduce the height by between 2 and 2/12 metres and reduce the extended limbs on the western aspect by 3 metres. Historically this tree was sub-dominant to a very mature lime tree which has now disappeared and left an oak with a very pronounced lean towards the neighbours house (no 19) . We want to redress the lean as much as we can. This was applied for in 2009 but not implemented REF 09/1593/TRE. 20 Barnes Meadow Uplyme Lyme Regis DT7 3TDRef. No: 21/2735/TRE | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Detailed application for the erection of a livestock building Alston Farm Alston Axminster EX13 7LGRef. No: 21/2748/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Detailed application for the erection of a livestock building Alston Farm Alston Axminster EX13 7LGRef. No: 21/2747/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed dormer window to front elevation, new bifold doors to rear elevation and internal alterations to layout 6 Shackleton Close Exmouth EX8 4PRRef. No: 21/2737/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor rear extension with creation of an elevated rear entrance boot room to include a rooflight and access stairs. 5 Orchards Farm Buckerell Honiton EX14 3GJRef. No: 21/2731/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed new photovoltaic panels to be situated on the inner south facing roof pitch Thornbury The Strand Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JSRef. No: 21/2730/LBC | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed new photovoltaic panels to be situated on the inner south facing roof pitch Thornbury The Strand Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JSRef. No: 21/2729/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of building and associated external space previously used for agricultural use, civil ceremonies and as a café/restaurant to use for civil ceremonies and associated functions, corporate events and other private hire events (retrospective application) Froginwell Vineyard Woodbury Salterton Exeter EX5 1EPRef. No: 21/2719/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Two storey side extension and porch to front Dawn View Clyst Road Topsham Exeter EX3 0DBRef. No: 21/2711/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side extension, single storey rear extension and addition of a patio with alterations to fenestration and demolition of existing conservatory. 40 Parkside Road Exeter EX1 3TNRef. No: 21/2715/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side/rear extension, conversion of garage to habitable use to include alterations to fenestration. Beeches Talaton Exeter EX5 2RQRef. No: 21/2716/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace 1no. window on front corner elevation at first floor Stanley Cottage Whitford Axminster EX13 7PERef. No: 21/2700/LBC | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed change of use to secure exercise field for dogs. Land At Core Hill Field No. 9997 Stowford SidmouthRef. No: 21/2702/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side/rear extension and conversion of rear side flat roof to pitched roof. St Andrews Cottage Feniton Honiton EX14 3BERef. No: 21/2706/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of agricultural barn into 1no dwelling house. The Tallet Aunk Clyst Hydon Cullompton EX15 2NHRef. No: 21/2707/PDQ | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retrospective planning to replace 1.8m lower fence to 2.8m fence height. 42 Jackson Meadow Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5GZRef. No: 21/2681/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear first floor extension Wayside Causeway Beer Seaton EX12 3JURef. No: 21/2679/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear first floor extension Wayside Causeway Beer Seaton EX12 3JURef. No: 21/2680/LBC | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• To change the use of the ground floor of the building from E(b) sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises to C3 dwelling house with additional access and alteration to fenestration 1 Rolle Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6JZRef. No: 21/2684/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of existing shed and greenhouse and replacement with a summerhouse. Abbots Cottage Combe Raleigh Honiton EX14 4TQRef. No: 21/2683/FUL | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 – Weeping Beech tree. Reduce sides by approx 15% by removing limbs that are sticking out. There are approximately 6 of these at various points around the tree that I propose removing. This will give the tree a more rounded shape. Level off the top of the tree by removing approx 15ft in height from approx a third of the top area. See attached photos for approximate extent of pruning. T2 – Field maple tree. Pollard to points highlighted on attached photo. Reasons are to take weight off of the tree as a couple limbs have already broken off and to let more light in Acerhill Berry Lane Beer Seaton EX12 3JSRef. No: 21/2660/TCA | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of a static caravanWaterhayes Clyst Honiton Exeter EX5 2DSRef. No: 21/2661/CPL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a single storey rear extension, a porch/canopy and widen the existing vehicular access. 7 Wychall Park Seaton EX12 2EWRef. No: 21/2648/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Remove and bring forward bathroom wall with door opening onto landing; create door opening from bedroom 1 into existing bathroom to create new ensuite shower room. En suite will be taken from existing large bathroom by erecting stud wall. Egypt Millford Road Sidmouth EX10 8DPRef. No: 21/2644/LBC | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of existing garden shed to be replaced with new beach hut style shed 40 Camperdown Terrace Exmouth EX8 1EQRef. No: 21/2629/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of existing modern concrete render to north and east elevations of north wing, carry out any necessary remedial repairs, including removal of modern buttress if required and re-render with lime render. Install new rainwater goods to north elevation of main house The Old Manor Talaton Exeter EX5 2RQRef. No: 21/2626/LBC | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension with new zinc roof and alterations to fenestration Sowden Brake Hulham Road Exmouth EX8 5DZRef. No: 21/2609/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Roof: install additional structural support for ceiling below with cast pads in wall. Timber infestation treatment in attic. Replace ceiling in master bedroom at first floor with new lath and plaster ceiling. Chamberlains Cottage Brampford Speke Exeter EX5 5DRRef. No: 21/2605/LBC | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Erection of a front, side and rear extension. 13 Raddenstile Lane Exmouth EX8 2JLRef. No: 21/2590/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing garage with replacement two-storey extension and construction of a new garage. Beechcroft Marley Drive Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5DYRef. No: 21/2588/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• First floor side extension and first floor rear extension, porch to front with alterations to balcony and fenestration. 36 Foxholes Hill Exmouth EX8 2DQRef. No: 21/2573/FUL | Validated: Tue 19 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change from septic tank to sewage treatment plant Abbey Cottage Dunkeswell Abbey Honiton EX14 4RPRef. No: 21/2516/FUL | Validated: Mon 18 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Reserved matters application for layout, appearance and landscaping for the main local route through the town centre (Tillhouse Road), the link road to the B3174 (Court Royal) and Crannaford Lane and drainage works on land adjacent to Tillhouse Road. Discharge of conditions 6, 14, 17, 24 & 37 of planning permission 03/P1900. (This is a subsequent application in respect of permission 03/P1900 which was accompanied by an environmental statement) Land At Tillhouse Road, Court Royal And Crannaford Lane Cranbrook Town CentreRef. No: 21/2509/MRES | Validated: Wed 20 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of an external stairlift to front elevation to provide disabled access. 3 Travershes Close Exmouth EX8 3LHRef. No: 21/2357/FUL | Validated: Thu 21 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• two storey outbuilding 4 Redside Terrace Cowley Exeter EX5 5ESRef. No: 21/2303/FUL | Validated: Fri 22 Oct 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

Any fire break effect from half term not yet showing up. – Owl

Joe Ives, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Covid figures have risen in Devon for the fifth week in a row with infection rates once again higher than the UK average.

In the week to Sunday 24 October, 6,154 new infections were recorded across the county, seven per cent more than the previous week. The infection rate is now 507 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the UK average of 466.

The only council area in Devon with a rate lower than the national average is Exeter. The city currently has an infection rate of 417 per 100,000, but cases are rising, with 556 people in Exeter testing positive last week, 119 [27 per cent] more than the week before.

Overall, 4,115 infections were recorded across the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, up by 215 (five per cent) and bringing the infection rate to 508 per 100,000.

Plymouth had 137 more infections than the previous week, recording 1,368 new cases. The 11 per cent increase takes the city’s infection rate to 521 per 100,000.

In Torbay, 671 people tested positive, up by 85 (15 per cent) and making the infection rate of 493 per 100,000.

The only district council area in the county with a drop in infections was Mid Devon, recording 468 cases, 58 [11 per cent] fewer than the previous week. However, this drop resembles somewhat of a false dawn. It was only last week that Mid Devon’s cases skyrocketed more than 72 per cent. At 562 cases per 100,000 of the population, the district’s current infection rate is the second-highest in the county, second only to West Devon, which has an infection rate of 606 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations 

As reported on Tuesday 26 October, the recent rise in case numbers across the county has led to an increase – of 10 – in the number of people being treated for covid in Devon’s hospitals.

Latest figures [on Tuesday 19 October] show 118 covid patients in the county’s hospitals, 49 of whom are at Derriford in Plymouth, 28 at the RD&E, 24 in Torbay and 17 in North Devon. Of those patients, nine are in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

People dying with covid in Devon fell this week – one of the few pieces of good news.

Four more people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon. Two died in the Devon County Council area. Torbay and Plymouth each recorded a single death. Last week, 14 people died across Devon.

Across the county, a total of 1,273 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

Vaccinations

Eighty-four per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 79 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth, 81 per cent have had one dose, while 74 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 82 per cent have received one dose, while 77 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon remain slightly behind the rest of the UK. Across the country, 87 per cent of people aged 12 and over have had one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.

Simon and Neil, these beavers live in your constituencies and have a beneficial impact on pollution and the environment. To drive them away with raw sewage discharges would be a spectacular “own goal”.

Tom Ball www.thetimes.co.uk

England’s only colony of wild beavers is being threatened by pollution flowing downstream from one of the worst sewage overflow sites in the country.

The beavers were only reintroduced to the English countryside six years ago and are now at risk

Since their reintroduction by the Devon Wildlife Trust six years ago, beavers have begun to thrive on the River Otter. However, sewage being discharged weekly from a storm overflow site upstream has the potential to cause the colony of about 20 families serious health problems, wildlife experts say.

The overflow site at Honiton, Devon, spilt 137 times last year, totalling 2,442 hours of spillage. The spill site, operated by South West Water, flows directly into the Otter. The water company was approached for comment.

Mark Elliott, who oversees the beaver project, said that the discharges were a massive concern. He added: “There is a whole range of nasties contained in sewage that could potentially impact them, like viruses and bacteria.”

Overflows usually occur during heavy rainfall as a “release valve” to prevent sewers from flooding. Effluent is diluted with rainwater but remains untreated, introducing contaminants and pathogens into the water that can cause toxic blue-green algal blooms.

Beavers became extinct in England in the 1500s. Their proposed reintroduction, which is out to consultation, forms part of the government’s 25-year environment plan, published in 2018.

Beavers’ dams can reduce pollution and boost wildlife populations, a study from Exeter University shows. Dams mitigate the impact of flooding.

The Lower Otter valley is undergoing a £15 million project to restore natural floodplains and create 55 hectares of mudflats, saltmarsh and other habitats. The project is funded by the EU and the Environment Agency.

Dr Nicola Daniel, former chairwoman of the Otter Valley Association, said: “I find it quite extraordinary that we have had £15 million spent on the estuary and no work being done on the pollution levels.”

Raw sewage spills were a key reason why 84 per cent of rivers and lakes in England failed to meet the government’s target of good ecological status last year. Threatened with a backbench revolt, ministers have tabled an amendment to the Environment Bill, which will force water firms to ensure a “progressive reduction in adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows”.

Heinz releases limited edition tins of Christmas Dinner Soup (but buy now while stocks last – Owl)

Aidan Milan metro.co.uk

Intriguing (Picture: Heinz)

Obsessed with Christmas dinner to an almost worrying degree? Well, Heinz could be dropping the soup of your dreams.

The food giant is releasing a limited edition Christmas Dinner Soup, and it looks… intriguing.

Chunks of turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, and potatoes will be all mixed up all one can with a gravy and cranberry sauce. 

All that could be yours for just £1.50, plus postage and packaging.

Yes, you’ll have to order your tins of Christmas Dinner Soup online via the Heinz website if you want to get in on the action.

You’ll also have to move fast, as there will be just 500 of these tins up for grabs.

Would you give it a go? (Picture: Jonathan Kennedy/Heinz)

Anke von Hanstein, brand manager at Heinz Soups, said: ‘We are so excited for the lucky 500 people to try this sensational seasonal addition to Heinz’s Big Soup family.

‘It is made for those with a big love for hearty festive flavours and tastes just perfect with a slice of warm crusty bread. Any soup that includes pigs in blankets and roasties is a winner in our eyes – go big or go hungry is what we always say.

‘Christmas dinner is one of our favourite meals too, which is why we’re bringing some additional festive magic to the nation this Christmas with this limited edition, enabling everyone to indulge in those delicious Christmas flavours anytime anywhere with a minuscule fraction of the time and effort

‘And if these lucky few who managed to get their hands on it love it as much as we do, Heinz Christmas Dinner Big Soup might be back next year, bigger and better. Watch this space.’

Owl was under the impression that these car parks were “owned” by the Pebblebed Heaths Trust. In 2018 the Trust published a pebblebed Heaths car park strategy.

The car parks are now being described as “four council-owned car parks”. When did that happen?

The design and access statement (para 2.1) indicates that this is in response  to the plans of East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge to build over 40,000 new homes by 2030.

Looks like the change happened soon after Jan 2020. Old Guard decision?

So the costs fall on the Council Tax Payer – Owl

Joe Ives, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk 

Joney’s Cross – and you can see why (courtesy South East Devon Habitat Regulations)

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has approved its own planning application to redevelop four of its car parks at Pebblebed Heath near East Budleigh,  which one councillor said were currently “little better than a bomb site.”

The heath is a 1,400sq hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest and a special area of conservation for southern damselflies, nightjars and Dartford warblers.

Now four council-owned car parks surrounding the heath are to be resurfaced and will undergo drainage works and have improved signage following a decision by EDDC’s planning committee. The council hopes to improve safety and reduce parking pressure elsewhere around the beauty spot.

The works will be at Joney’s Criss, Hawkerland; Stowfood Woods, Colaton Raleigh; Four Furs, Woodbury and the Frying Pans,  Woodbury Common. Though the car parks will be improved, no new spaces will be added.

Councillor Geoff Jung (Democratic Alliance Group, Woodbury and Lympstone), portfolio holder for coast, countryside and environment, told the planning committee: “I think everyone would agree that the car parks on the common look little better than a bomb site: muddy puddles, ruts and no logic on where to park.”

Cllr Jung said there had been some misinformation on social media on the purpose of the improvements. He said the works would improve safety and movement around the car parks, increase their visibility from the road and “reduce the opportunity for theft and anti-social behaviour which is fairly common on the heath.”

The council says there has been increased use of Pebblebed Heath because of new housing developments in East Devon.

In a report on the application, officers argued:  “Increasing the capacity at the larger car parks means there would be an increased focus on these areas with less harm likely to arise in other satellite parking areas, thereby reducing the harm to the wider Pebblebed Heaths.”

There were worries that a footpath to the car park at Joney’s Cross would be removed, but the council said it will be keeping it open.

Councillor Olly Davey (Democratic Alliance Group, Exmouth Town) welcomed the improvements but wants cycle parking to be considered in future developments.

Councillor Paul Hayward (Democratic Alliance Group, Yarty) read a statement on behalf of Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council which expressed “slight frustration” that it was not consulted on the application when it was first validated in the summer.

A planning officer apologised and said the EDDC would make sure it consults them in the future.

The rules governing the conduct of ministers and senior civil servants need to be toughened up, according to a new report.

www.bbc.co.uk

The Committee on Standards in Public Life – which advises the PM on ethical standards – has been carrying out a review into processes in Westminster.

It concluded transparency around lobbying was “poor” and the current guidance relied too much on convention.

The watchdog has recommended to Boris Johnson that rules be strengthened.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said the government would “carefully consider” the report.

The committee’s review began in September last year – shortly before a row broke out over the publishing of a report into allegations of bullying against Home Secretary Priti Patel, and the Greensill lobbying scandal involving former PM David Cameron hit Westminster.

It released its interim findings in July, calling for more transparency around lobbying ministers and for improvements to the rules about when ministers can take up private sector roles after leaving government.

Releasing the report’s full findings, the committee’s chairman and former director of MI5, Lord Evans, said social media, political polarisation and what he described as the “coarsening of public debate” had increased the risks to public standards, along with additional pressure from the pandemic and Brexit.

He added: “High standards of conduct support our democracy, economy, and foreign policy.

“The UK’s success in advocating against corruption abroad depends on its reputation for ethical conduct at home.”

‘Vigilance and leadership’

The report found the effectiveness of ethics regulators in Whitehall had “not kept pace with wider changes” and said there was a “particular need for reform in central government”.

The committee recommended strengthening the restrictions and guidance on lobbying – particularly when carried out through informal channels.

And it called for more power to be given to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, which advises the PM on the rules governing his cabinet’s conduct, the ministerial code.

Lord Evans also wanted to see that code include a list of possible sanctions the prime minister could impose on those who break it – including apologies, fines and asking for a resignation.

And he said he wanted these stronger rules to be written into law.

“The arrangements to uphold ethical standards in government have come under close scrutiny and significant criticism in recent months,” said Lord Evans. “Maintaining high standards requires vigilance and leadership.

“We believe our recommendations outline a necessary programme of reform to restore public confidence in the regulation of ethical standards in government.”

The report was welcomed by Labour, with its deputy leader Angela Rayner accusing Mr Johnson and his party of “repeatedly undermining standards in our public life”.

She added: “The system that is supposed to uphold the ministerial code, lobbying rules, business appointments, public appointments and transparency is clearly unfit for purpose.

“Ministers have disregarded the rules and it is about time for a radical overhaul of the system.”

Campaign organisation Transparency International UK also welcomed the report and said the recommendations should be implemented in full.

Chief executive Daniel Bruce said: “It is incumbent on the PM to enact these significant but sensible reforms without delay.

“Failing to do so would constitute a deliberate choice to leave the door wide open to abuses of public office for private gain.”

A third of England’s most important flood defences are in private hands, an investigation has found, with more than 1,000 found to be in a poor state and some at risk of “complete performance failure”.

Helen Pidd www.theguardian.com 

Private owners cannot be forced to make upgrades to the defences, which can involve bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The government admits it can only “encourage” third-party owners to do maintainance, though the Environment Agency can carry out emergency repairs if there is a risk to people, property or environment, and try to bill the freeholders afterwards.

Data obtained under freedom of information laws by Unearthed, the investigative arm of Greenpeace UK, and shared with the Guardian, show that privately owned assets classed as “high consequence” are twice as likely to be in a poor condition as those maintained by the Environment Agency, with 8% or 1,109 of private defences rated as sub-par.

The defences range from flood walls or embankments to weirs and piers, though many are outfall pipes or culverts – enclosed watercourses that run underneath roads, railways or other property.

Some are owned by major landowners such as the crown estate or Network Rail. Others run under private houses and businesses, often unnoticed until something goes wrong. In 2014 a father and son in Waterlooville, Hampshire, were faced with a £150,000 bill to repair a culvert that went underneath their properties.

High-consequence flood defences are the most important because they “contribute to managing flood risk in a location where the consequence on people and property of an asset failing is high”, according to the Environment Agency.

Defences are inspected and then rated from condition 1 to 5, with 1 meaning “very good”. Four is “poor”, with “defects that would significantly reduce the performance of the asset”, and 5 is “very poor” – “severe defects resulting in complete performance failure”.

There is no public record of who owns or maintains private flood defences in England, and local authorities are often unaware. To build a partial picture of private ownership, Unearthed took Environment Agency data and overlaid it with data from the Land Registry and other sources.

Kirklees council in West Yorkshire, which dealt with bad flooding during Storm Ciara in 2020, said it did not know who owned the 23 privately owned defences in its area that were rated as poor or very poor. The local authority in Carlisle, which has seen repeated flooding in recent years, said the same about the 30 poorly rated private defences in the city.

Even when local authorities do know the owners, they cannot compel them to carry out repairs. “All we can do is ask nicely,” said James Mead, a flood and water manager at Sheffield city council, who said he contacted private owners by looking on Google Maps and cross-referencing with Environment Agency data.

Some 29 defences rated poor or very poor across England are on land owned by the crown estate, the Queen’s property manager. A spokesperson said the estate did not own the defences nor have responsibility for their upkeep, but did not respond when asked was responsible.

“Where flood defences have been installed by third parties on crown estate land we will always work with the relevant authorities to offer any assistance we can to ensure they are able to access and maintain as required,” the spokesperson said.

Last year the National Audit Office said the Environment Agency’s plan to beef up England’s flood defences was being undermined by a lack of coordination between the various bodies tasked with maintaining them.

With increased flooding one of the greatest risks facing the UK as a result of the climate crisis, this year the government announced £5.2bn to build 2,000 new flood and coastal risk management schemes. Private defence owners will not be eligible to receive any of this money.

The Environment Agency estimates that 5.2m homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding and that about 700 properties are vulnerable to coastal erosion over the next 20 years.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We routinely inspect both Environment Agency and third-party flood assets. Repairs are prioritised where there is threat to lives and livelihoods. We work closely with third party asset owners to encourage them to undertake repairs.

“Since 2015, more than 300,000 homes have been better protected from flooding on time and on budget. We’ve also made extensive preparations for the winter months, with thousands of frontline staff ready to respond to a flooding incident should it occur.”

Olivia Blake, the shadow flooding minister, said the government must do more to make sure private defences are up to scratch. “As our winters get wetter, the climate emergency will put flood defences under greater strain,” she said. “The government must act to ensure there are clear responsibilities and adequate measures in place so that any flood defences which are privately owned and critically important to the protection of the public are properly inspected and maintained.”

‘Criminal-level negligence from 265 Tories who voted for sewage in the sea‘

www.mirror.co.uk 

PS It’s raining again, and what does that mean? – Owl

A Tory councillor received more than £86,000 of taxpayer cash to send just one email a week for nearly five years.

By Redrow Homes www.thelondoneconomic.com 

Councillor Margaret George has not carried out a single surgery in four-and-a-half years of sitting on North Ayrshire Council and has been absent from community-focused meetings expected from elected members.

The financial advisor, who represents Irvine South, has not formally logged a single piece of casework since she was elected in 2017, the Irvine Times reported.

According to records from North Ayrshire Council’s customer relationship management system, Cllr George has logged zero cases between May 1, 2017 and August 16, 2021 in the time she has been an elected member.

She defended her work ethic and claimed she “met people in the street” and made phone calls which would not be formally logged.

In comparison, Tory colleague Todd Ferguson has logged 289 cases with the software designed to track interactions between councillor and the local authority service provision.

A case is logged when councillors contact the council to request to access a service, however, non-service interactions are not taken into consideration.

However, Cllr George has sent just 427 emails between May 1, 2017, and September 6, 2021 – averaging one email a week for four and a half years.

According to a Freedom of Information request submitted to North Ayrshire Council, the Conservative and Unionist members sent 26,786 emails in this time, with the top performer sending 9,886 emails, 30 emails a week, in a similar time period.

In addition to a £18,604 annual salary, councillors receive a salary and access to expenses as remuneration for their role in public office.

Over the last five years, councillors’ salaries have increased from £14,654.61 to £18,604.

In total, it is understood Cllr George has been paid around £86,000 in salary and claimed £213.15 in expenses during her time with the council.

Fellow Irvine South elected members from SNP and Labour have blasted the apparent lack of work by Cllr George and urged her to re-consider her position.

SNP councillor Christina Larsen, said: “I am not in the habit of criticising councillors, even if they are from another party, however, I have had constituents remark on Cllr George’s absence since she was elected in 2017.

“These remarks have not only been in regards to her lack of holding any constituency surgeries, but also her lack of engagement in constituency casework and her absence at the Irvine Locality Partnership.

Breathtaking laziness

“I don’t think she has properly represented her constituents and I think she should think about her position and whether or not she should stand for office in the elections next year.”

Labour councillor Robert Foster added: “To serve the people of North Ayrshire as a councillor is a real privilege, to spend almost five years in that role and not help a single constituent is breathtaking laziness.

“The contempt that the Tories have for working people is clear for all to see, I would have asked for Margaret George to resign but a by-election would only cost the taxpayer even more money.

“For Margaret George to sit in the house and pocket a wage every month for doing absolutely nothing is disgraceful.

“I hope the people of Irvine send a clear message to the Tories at the council election next May and kick them out.”

The Conservative group for North Ayrshire released a statement on behalf of Cllr George.

Cllr George said: “A lot of the case work that we do it’s not necessarily logged on the council’s Laggan system as, for example, in my case I do a lot of that by phone and by direct email to heads of service so it’s not always logged.

“So one cannot imply from zero case work from the council that there has been no case work.

“In terms of emails, I would’ve expected a councillor to have used the email system more frequently but also as in my case it is possible that many of the contacts were done either through community councils, or by telephone, or by meeting people in the street.”

In response, David Rocks, chairman for the Conservatives in North Ayrshire, added: “We are currently going through the selection process for candidates for next year.

“We are looking to assess and vet the best team to go forward to the elections.”

Grandiose reinvigoration/regeneration Tory project goes wrong. Does this ring any bells in East Devon, in Seaton or Exmouth say? – Owl

Marble Arch Mound: call to review ‘culture of complacency’ at council

Patrick Butler www.theguardian.com 

Councillors have called for an independent review of a “culture of complacency” at a flagship Tory-run council that ran up a £3m overspend on a much-derided new visitor attraction in London’s West End labelled “Teletubby hill”.

An internal Westminster council report, discussed at a council scrutiny meeting on Wednesday evening, admitted the Marble Arch Mound had been badly mismanaged by officials – with unacceptable errors of judgment caused by the desire to rush it through at speed.

There were “devastating” failures in the management of the project, the report concluded, including corner-cutting and cover-ups by officials desperate to keep massive overspends and design problems hidden from councillors, and a lack of overall “grip and oversight”.

Labour’s opposition group said the report did not go far enough in scrutinising the role of senior elected council leaders, who it said missed several opportunities to challenge and track the progress of the controversial scheme, which it said showed a culture of complacency in the council and a lack of political leadership.

“It’s evidence of a Conservative administration on Westminster council that has been in power for far too long. They have become arrogant, out of touch and incompetent and it’s time for a change,” said the Labour group leader, Adam Hug.

The mound – a 25-metre high artificial hill built on the corner of Oxford Street and Hyde Park with views across the city – became a laughing stock soon after opening in July. The Daily Telegraph referred to it as a “rather silly hillock” while the New York Times called it “a pile of scaffolding”.

Within weeks, a project intended to help reinvigorate the area’s battered retail and hospitality economy had also become a political disaster: the then deputy leader, Melvyn Caplan, resigned after it emerged the original £3m cost had spiralled to £6m, and it came under fire from residents and political opponents.

Hug said oral evidence heard at the scrutiny meeting showed Westminster’s political leaders had failed in their responsibility to ask key questions and challenge “optimistic assumptions” about the scheme over a period of several months, despite insisting on big cost reductions early on.

The council said the review found no evidence the problems associated with the mound “have occurred or are occurring” elsewhere in the council.

Westminster managed projects worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year, it said, and had an “excellent record of delivering to a high standard and within the agreed budget”.

The leader of the council, Rachael Robathan, and Caplan – who remains a councillor – were formally requested to give evidence to the meeting, but neither attended and questions were fielded by council officers. The council has previously rejected calls for an independent investigation.

Hug said: “We continue to believe the council should undertake an independent review of the failings of the council’s political culture and leadership as evidenced by the mistakes made with the £6m Marble Arch Mound.”

The mound was originally intended to recoup £2m of its costs through the sale of visitor tickets priced between £4 and £8, but access was made free in August. The attraction remains open until 9 January next year.

From a correspondent concerned about the Burrington Estates’ development proposals for Winslade Park:

When deciding on the best ways of using land and buildings in our communities, undoubtedly, development planners hold significant power in their hands. However, in recent years, local people feel they have become the losers – whilst property speculators have reaped huge profits from many, valued neighbourhoods. 

Are those who actually live in our communities being restricted in their say over its future shape? Locally-led, quality design is vital for new developments to avoid the loss of distinctive characteristics and the destruction of environments from over-development. Should Local and Neighbourhood Plans be ignored and dismissed in favour of developers’ offers of unproven, economic benefits? 

Those within East Devon District Council (EDDC) who recommend and make decisions on development planning must realise the huge impact their resolutions have on other people’s lives. Large-scale development planning results in significant, major transformations to East Devon neighbourhoods; it does not merely involve viewing architectural drawings, plans and imagery via a virtual zoom meeting in disconnected home kitchens, lounges or offices and then by alphabetical roll call voting in favour, against or abstaining – the reality is that these all-important decisions will influence and transform entire communities and the future lives of the numerous residents who have made their homes in them. 

This was reflected recently by the following emotive sentiments (published on the EDDC planning portal), which were made by residents whose existing homes will adjoin Burrington Estates’ proposed development of 39 houses and 40 four-storey flats on two sites at Winslade Park in Clyst St Mary.  

Objections – Zone A – 39 homes 

‘Our family have had the privilege of living in Winslade Park Avenue since 1977. Four generations of our family have been lucky enough to live in this wonderful village and actively participate and engage with all aspects of life within it. . . . We are very disappointed by the proposals in which the bungalows that were proposed are now much higher and comprising of one and a half storeys. These properties are not in keeping with the bungalows and houses of Winslade Park Avenue that border them. They have large chimneys and the properties overlook and encroach on the neighbouring properties that will lead to a loss of privacy. I am also concerned that the public consultation was arranged in a way that the residents could not fully participate in. If the proposals go through in their current format the reality is we will be looking to sell our property and move from a village we love and a community we have always been part of.’ 

‘It is still difficult for this local community to accept the loss of this valued, green field that was specifically protected against development in the East Devon Local and the Bishops Clyst Neighbourhood Plans. 

The fear is that the Applicants will prioritise and move forward immediately with the housing elements but the promised local jobs, social and environmental benefits for the community of Clyst St Mary will be pushed into the background……Although 39 homes in Zone A are considered low-density; when they are considered with the 40 four-storey flats in Zone D and proposals for around 2,000 jobs, then the entire proposals are viewed as an overdevelopment in this village location.’ 

‘My property backs onto the location of the proposed application . . . The impact on my amenity and loss of privacy to the main living areas of my property (Main bedroom, Lounge, kitchen, patio area and garden) is unacceptable.  

 Objections – Zone D – 40 four-storey flats 

‘The new development proposes 40 apartments of 4 storeys in height which will dominate our 2 storey house with a loss to our privacy and will change the character of our quiet estate. ….. When the deciduous trees shed their leaves the development will be seen in its entirety and occupants will be able to look over our gardens and homes in Clyst Valley Road. We are concerned about levels of air pollution from traffic and the effects this will have on ourselves and our children’s health… the development will add another 80 or so vehicles in this locality. 

We oppose the proposed development which is out of proportion to existing properties and the character of the historical village of Clyst St Mary and the Winslade Park estate’.  

‘The density of housing on this confined spot seems very high; 80 -100 people packed into this relatively small area, with their cars and associated traffic, is bound to have a detrimental effect in terms of pollution and noise on the houses closest to them. Clyst St Mary is a small village. .. . We are not a town. The designs of the blocks are unattractive and appear to be full of windows, which will make existing residents feel uncomfortably exposed to a loss of privacy.  

 I was particularly alarmed by the comment that the removal/lopping of some trees “may not significantly affect the amenity value of the site”. It would most certainly affect the amenity value of my existing site if this screen is diminished, and given the prominence currently given to preserving trees, this should be a red flag.’ 

‘We must build back better in future and not create ‘eyesores’ that will scar and stigmatise small communities. The Zone D apartment blocks have no architectural integrity….displaying overwhelmingly mediocre, low-quality, volume homebuilding. 

Zone D car parking proposals fail to consider the harm to the lives and amenities that existing local residents in Clyst Valley Road enjoy in their homes and gardens and is unneighbourly and inappropriate.’ 

These are selected contributions from genuine householders in this community who trust that their elected representatives will be attentive to their voices and not just pay lip service to residents’ aims and objectives; they request support and representation on key issues that significantly affect their lives and valued homes and ultimately they expect protection of their physical and mental wellbeing.  

For instance, to date there appears no proposals or provision for safe pedestrian access at the bottom of Winslade Park Avenue? Therefore, potentially 2,000 Winslade Park new business employees, families from 79 new homes (including children) and all existing residents will be required to walk on a heavily-trafficked narrow road, around blind bends with no pavements or adequate lighting to access the village amenities of the school, shop, post office, village hall, garage and pub or alternatively walk to the facilities at Winslade Manor. 

The two Reserved Matters housing applications are silent on this subject, ignoring the lack of crucial, highway upgrades that are imperative in this area; to date no comments or plans have been published by Devon Highways, when most would consider this to be a pivotal decision – a focal point affecting public safety? Do decision-makers intend getting substantial contributions from developers to widen the road to allow for pedestrian pavements – or will their decision be to completely block all vehicular access for existing Winslade Park householders merely to allow the 79 new-builds to progress in a village with no local housing need? 

Surely, this is of paramount importance to alleviate future serious injuries or fatalities that will, undoubtedly, occur in this area without the implementation of significant, enhanced highway safety measures? Are priorities getting skewed in favour of economic gains rather than the safety of real people?  Could decision-makers potentially recommend and approve sizeable commercial and housing developments, without significant highway safety improvements in this area that could risk life and limb? 

Consequently, when making planning decisions on large-scale developments that will have huge repercussions for so many people, the community urges planners to appreciate and acknowledge the viewpoints and perspectives of those who have made their homes in this East Devon village by opting to support people before profits!