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Monday 10 March 2014

Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ..... ..... Sidmouth: the issues for Tuesday 11th March

The Sidmouth session at the Inspector's consideration of the Local Plan has been well-covered:
Futures Forum: Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ... Sidmouth: the issues: Sidford Employment Allocation
Futures Forum: Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ... SIDMOUTH
Futures Forum: Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ... SIDMOUTH: press reports

Sidmouth is to have a second session tomorrow, Tuesday 11th March, where the remaining issues are to be considered - points 2b, 2c and 3 here:


The Inspector has identified a number of issues relating to Sidmouth which he wants to discuss. These are:-
1. The Plan allows for 100 new houses and 50 more on windfall sites. It also proposes the allocation of 5.5 Ha of Employment land. Are these justified?
2. Are the proposed allocations suitable for the development proposed?
a. Sidford; Traffic, Flooding and Landscape.
b. Alexandria Estate.
c. The Knowle Port Royal and Manstone residential; Loss of Employment, Traffic, Impact on character and appearance of area.
3. Does Sidmouth have the infrastructure to support these developments?

Futures Forum: Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ... Sidmouth session - Tues 25th February
Futures Forum: Public Examination of the New East Devon Local Plan ... Sidmouth: the issues: The Knowle, Port Royal, Manstone Depot Residential Allocations

The issue of Employment Land will be covered with specific reference to Sidmouth of course - but it has already been controversial:
East Devon Green Party | East Devon Green Party challenges employment land provision at Local Plan Hearing
“Sidmouth does not need so much employment land”: Residents and councillors tell a Government planning inspector | Exeter Express and Echo

The demand or not for 'retail parks' and 'supermarkets' has been tackled as an issue of concern elsewhere:
http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/east_devon_tories_condemn_supermarket_levy_motion/
Local Government Lawyer - Council sees off developer at Court of Appeal over retail park restrictions

There are specific fears for the future of Alexandria Road Industrial Estate:
Morrisons eyes up Sidmouth estate - News - Sidmouth Herald
Alexandria Road Estate | Save Our Sidmouth
Questions about Alexandria Road | Save Our Sidmouth
Quick sale at Alexandria Road Industrial Estate | Sidmouth Independent News

The issues of loss of employment, questions about infrastructure and traffic, worries about impacts on the 'character and appearance of the area' have repercussions for the tourist industry:

If Sidmouth town and environs are so attractive for visitors and resident alike, there are fears that these assets will not be looked after:


Tourism is very important financially and for employment in the region and overdevelopment is going to gradually deter these tourists if it is allowed to continue unchecked. So much for the Council's stated concern about employment - the tourism industry is one of Sidmouth' s largest employers.

www.eastdevon.gov.uk/3776-alannightingale.pdf

The countryside around Sidmouth is a beautiful asset for residents and visitors and it must be protected by observing the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), not by developing within them. We must ensure that the approaches to Sidmouth remain attractive and that development does not undermine the reasons why tourism thrives here.

www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lprepss4002._4002_-_4021.pdf
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