Category Archives: Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury
REMINDER: ‘Knowle landgrab’ objections DEADLINE NEXT FRIDAY 20 FEB
What is widely considered the secretive saga of EDDC’s bungled relocation plans, is reaching a costly crescendo…and not just in monetary terms. If the District Council’s plans go-ahead, this unique landmark parkland will have restricted access, and the Public Open Space will be much reduced.
To have your say, see http://saveoursidmouth.com/2015/02/12/where-how-to-send-comments-on-appropriation-disposal-of-land-at-knowle/
‘Candidates meet at HQ’: Express and Echo report on EDA news
“Importance of the Local Plan should not be underestimated”, says Independent Councillor
The quote from Cllr Susie Bond comesĀ from this post on her blog: https://susiebond.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/local-plan-update-well-sort-of/
But strangely no mention of the Local Plan (nor of the precise costs of EDDC’s planned move from Knowle ) from Cllr Bond’s colleagues representing Sidmouth, in their current leaflet to residents (mentioned on our website yesterday) . EDWatchers can view the leaflet’s two pages here: In Touch Feb 2015 and here In Touch East Devon residents’ survey. Feb 2015
Sidmouth shingle exercise
OK everyone, here is EDDC’s “before” image of the shingle which has been moved around the beach.
The final product
Let’s hope we don’t ever have to publish an “after” picture, as this cost Ā£100,000!
Shingle being moved
Coastal upheaval will cause major problems
“Beaches will be stripped bare of all sand, coastlines will change and seaside communities and transport infrastructure will have to move inland if the Westcountry is to be resilient to climate change.
Two of the regionās experts on climate change have warned that while last winterās storms may have been the worst in 60 years, the frequency of such dramatic weather events mean coastal communities, businesses and authorities have to plan for the future and adapt to climate change.”
Torridge Local Plan: more houses, less employment land
“The total number of houses to be built by 2031 has increased from 16,500 to 17,200, with employment land cut from 110 hectares to 85.”
“All 190 of the houses on North Devonās side of the Exmoor National Park will also be built outside of the park.”
http://www.devon24.co.uk/news/extra_700_houses_to_come_in_north_devon_and_torridge_in_local_plan_changes_1_3950350
Mrs Little (ex-EDDC Chief Planner) seems to have changed her mind about employment land since she left East Devon! More and more employment land was her call here after the East Devon Business Forum said it was required, hence the slipping-in of Sidford employment land at the last minute. Hmmm.
Disposal / Appropriation of Open Space at the Knowle..who decides?
Reaching the parts others won’t reach
Real Zorro (http://realzorro1.blogspot.co.uk/) gives the welcome news that Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce members have been encouraged to object to EDDC’s land grab at the Knowle. This land grab is being attempted in order to give potential developers a nicer package.
It is a pity that the majority of local Tory district councillors do not appear so far to have followed suit – not a peep out of them.
Sidmouth might be better off with Shaun the Sheep, who at least displays some feistiness and fighting spirit, rather than the sheep they voted in at the last election.
Better luck at the next election in May, Sidmothians. What you need is more Independents!
Independent now “front-runner” to unseat East Devon’s MP
Message sent in to EastDevonWatch:
FIND OUT HOW CLAIRE WRIGHT WOULD REPRESENT YOU AS OUR NEW MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT IF EAST DEVON ELECTS HER IN MAY. She’ll be at a PUBLIC MEETING IN SIDMOUTH, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015,
7PM, UNITARIAN CHURCH (AT THE JUNCTION OF HIGH STREET WITH ALL SAINTS ROAD).
The public meeting scheduled for 7 pm on Wednesday 11th February in Sidmouth’s Leigh Browne Room has been moved around the corner to the larger premises at the Unitarian Church on the corner of the High Street and All Saints Road.
A spokesman for Independent Candidate Claire Wright said: “Claire lives in West Hill, Ottery St Mary. Sidmouth was chosen as the first venue in her planned series of public meetings throughout the East Devon constituency as she bids to become our next Member of Parliament.
āSince the meeting was announced last month, Claire has been overwhelmed with messages of support from Sidmouth residents. She has therefore decided to move the event to a larger venue to accommodate the likely numbers.
“Another public meeting is scheduled for Woolbrook on 1st April and Claire will also be attending several events and taking part in election hustings with other candidates in Sidmouth during the run up to May 7th’s General Election.”
When Claire Wright first announced her candidature the bookmakers gave odds of 66-1 against her winning. The odds have shortened week after week since then and she is now seen as the front-runner to displace the current MP.
Action on Knowle landgrab
Rotherham Council – just taken over by central government – BBC news main story tonight
The following headlines and story relating to the same council, , from only a few years ago, may have some bearing on our own District Council’s office relocation extravaganza.
Ā£9.9m bill to equip Rotherham Council’s new offices
Published date: 26 August 2011 | Published by: Gareth Dennison
Bill: Rotherham Council’s new offices.
ROTHERHAM Borough Councilās multi-million pound new offices will cost Ā£9.9 million to furnish.
The Ā£3 million-a-year rent paid to regeneration group Evans for Riverside House does not include kitting out the buildings.
The first staff will begin moving in before Christmas and the authority insists the total cost is less than staying put in its ageing existing buildings.
Save Sidmouth Drill Hall campaign enters new phase
See update on http://www.sidmouthdrillhall.com/
Knowle alert!
Another public consultation, EDDC-style, is underway. Can anyone find the plans online?Ā Unlike planning proposals, comments ‘must be made IN WRITING’Ā (no mention of website option).
Your friends and neighbours might like to know.
Working practices change – but EDDC seems not to be adapting
Sunday Times, section 7, Appointments
“Time for change as the days of working nine to five fade
āIn the future, certainly in the West, there will be fewer full-time jobs and more part-time jobs. There will be fewer core workers and more contingent ones. More people will work from home. Work will be a thing you do, not a place you go to.ā
So, shall we need all these extra offices and industrial sheds (5 hectares in Sidford alone) or is this yesterday’s thinking – or yesterday’s misplaced greed?
Or is it that sheds and offices (even if empty) will attract tax breaks, write-offs or business rates for our landowners and council where home working will not?
Sidmouth: are more chain stores needed?
Conversation on Sidmouth Herald Streetlife section:
Chains to revitalise Sidmouth?
Q: Interesting letters in yesterday’s Herald – especially the one concerning Chain shops. Some very valid points raised – a couple of which I find myself aligned to.
A: High street chains are not the panacea. Be careful what you wish for. Suggest you visit the New Economics Foundation website. They have previously produced reports on clone towns (i.e. those which are full of chain stores). Exeter is a prime example.
http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/entry/reimagining-the-high-street
“The towns most dependent on the biggest chains and out of town stores have proven to be most vulnerable to the economic crisis.”
Another A: Big national chains can’t be good, not here and pretty much nowhere else. I can also see no urgent need to revitalise Sidmouth, the town is much more vital than many others. Independents are the way to go and thankfully, we have them.
I asked yesterday in the Rainbow store in Honiton when they’d close. They are a 5 shops ‘chain’ as far as I know and currently advertise a closing down sale. Apparently, they found out yesterday that they don’t have to close at all. Good.
[Note from EDW: Rainbow has “Store Closing” sales at other branches in East Devon where April 2015 has been given as the final closing date:
Robust scrutiny of relocation figures…will tonight’s OSC root out answers to SOS questions?
Robust scrutiny of relocation figures..some pointers from SOS for today’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (6.30pm, Knowle).
Sidmouth beach enhancement, EDDC-style
Sunday strollers along the esplanade this weekend were no doubt impressed by the shingle-shifting project currently in progress.
The work does not extend to the eastern end of the beach, as disgruntled residents of Cliff Road well know.
Our earlier post describes the situation https://eastdevonwatch.org/2015/01/19/may-election-leaves-pennington-point-sidmouth-hanging-in-the-air-literally/
May election leaves Pennington Point, Sidmouth, hanging in the air – literally
http://www.devon24.co.uk/news/delays_cost_beach_its_political_punch_1_3919489
Beach Management Plan, Local Plan: both sacrificed to relocation plans. Priorities, priorities ….
East Devon Watch 