Sidford business park > Fords planning application >>> 16/0669/MOUT >>> Environment Agency appears to contradict its own guidance on flooding and climate change

The preliminary VGS Futures Forum submission to the planning application at Sidford was based largely on concerns about flooding in the context of climate change:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - VGS Futures Forum - comment on Sidford planning application

This was in turn based on a report from the Environment Agency:
Futures Forum: Sidford business park > Fords planning application >>> 16/0669/MOUT >>> Strategy 3 Target: "Reduction in the number of permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency"

However, the EA's guidance seems to have been ignored - in the EA's own last-minute submission to the Sidford application:
Environment Agency comment appears to contradict its own findings | Save Our Sidmouth

The final VGS Futures Forum submission highlighted these contradictions:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - VGS Futures Forum - final comment on Sidford planning application

As did the SVA in its comprehensive comment: 
Sid Vale Association (SVA) objections to the Sidford Business Park Planning Application | Save Our Sidmouth

District Councillors representing the ward had already provided a full report, containing photographs, maps, and a video - which is possibly what prompted the Environment Agency's last-minute submission:
Comments on Fords employment site_final

There is now considerable concern mounting over the perceived irregularities in procedure: 
How did business-park on-a-Sidford -floodplain come to be in the Local Plan? | East Devon Watch
“MPs criticise government over flood protection plans” | East Devon Watch

These issues will no doubt be raised at the Town Council's special planning committee meeting next Wednesday:
Town Council’s stance on planning application for Sidford floodplain business park, to be decided NEXT WEDS EVE, 15th JUNE, at Sidford Social Hall | Save Our Sidmouth
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