Showing posts with label otterton. Show all posts

Thursday, 20 September 2018

Devon caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > planning application to expand unanimously rejected by councillors

In East Devon, there are various planning applications waiting to be dealt with for a large holiday park near Otterton:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > three planning applications awaiting determination

A caravan park in North Devon has just been told it cannot expand - with parallels to the Otterton case - due to the adverse impact on the landscape, the scale of the development was too great and it would have a negative impact on amenity of local residents:

Holiday park extension refused

Wednesday, September 19th, 2018 2:20pm

By Daniel Clark

Credit: Google

Councillors said it would have an adverse effect on the landscape

Tarka Holiday Park’s owners on Braunton Road, Barnstaple, wanted to convert a former fruit farm into the entertainment complex and have 116 new caravans.

The plan was to demolish the existing farmhouse by the entrance to Tarka Holiday Park and replace it with the new entertainments and pool complex.

The entrance to the park was set to be changed with a new roundabout provided on the A361.

But when Ashford residents said the plans would ‘triple the size of the village’ the number of caravans proposed was previously reduced from 150 to 116.

Councillors on North Devon Council’s planning committee were recommended to approve the application, but they voted unanimously to reject the scheme.

A report to the committee said: “It is accepted that a proposal to expand the existing Tarka Holiday Park can only be accommodated in a countryside location and this proposal would facilitate further economic development and job creation. Community benefits could include public access to the proposed nature area, as well as any proposal for future community use of the proposed swimming pool.”

Applicants Park Holidays UK said: “This is an important and substantial investment in the local tourism market aimed at setting high modern standards and providing a sustainable future for this holiday park that contributes positively to the local economy.

“This proposal provides a direct economic benefit to the Park and its local area through the provision of improved and upgraded facilities for holidaymakers. The best way to deal with our relatively short tourism season is to encourage the industry to create more all-weather packages, so the sector becomes truly resilient to poor weather throughout the entire year.”

Around 70 new jobs would have been created if the plans were approved, while 300 jobs would have been created during the construction phase, the applicants said.

The proposed entertainment complex included a clubhouse, reception, shop, arcade and entertainment room.

The swimming pool complex would have housed a large 1.2m deep swimming pool, with a separate 0.4m deep ‘Kids Pool’ and a flume.

Recommending approval, officers had said: “The contribution that the provision of improved facilities that will diversify the range and improve the quality of existing tourism accommodation and the associated economic benefits to the local economy through jobs, during both the construction and operational stage, and the tourist spend this will bring carries substantial weight in favour of the proposal.

“The expansion of the holiday park will change the appearance and character of part of the wider landscape setting of the Conservation Area and will therefore have an effect on appreciation of the historic context, but having carefully considered all the material considerations in this case it is concluded, on balance, that the benefits significantly and demonstrably outweigh the adverse impacts.”

However, the committee unanimously refused the plans due to the adverse impact on the landscape, the scale of the development was too great and it would have a negative impact on amenity of local residents.

Holiday park extension refused - Radio Exe
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Sunday, 9 September 2018

Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > three planning applications awaiting determination

Back in April 2016, East Devon's MP was more than happy to endorse the upgrading of one of the jewels in the crown of local business dynasty FWS Carter:
MP Hugo’s ribbon-cutting date marks £10m facelift | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal

The Ladram Bay caravan park keeps getting prizes:
November 2016:
Business award joy for Ladram Bay team | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal
November 2017:
Ladram Bay's award success | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal
February 2018:
Exmouth Business Awards 2018 Ladram Bay | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal

And it's a great place to get away from it all:
Why a caravan break with the in-laws is the greatest holiday you'll ever have - Telegraph
Splendour of Jurassic Coast’s Ladram Bay in Devon – The Sun

The only problem is that the locals are not particularly keen on the ever-expanding site:
Holiday park boss accused of intimidating councillor in village row - Devon Live
Second meeting to tackle lorry traffic problems in East Devon village - Devon Live

As reported in this blog earlier this year and before:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > report from latest meeting Tuesday 9th January
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9th January
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting planned for Tuesday 9th January
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues

It seems, however, that the District Council prefers 'supporting Enterprise over Environmental issues':
Futures Forum: Pressures to expand the Greendale and Hill Barton Business Parks >>> deadline to comment: Friday 2nd February
Futures Forum: Sidford business park >> campaign group's latest update > EDDC's Landscape Architect 'damns the application's plans'
Futures Forum: Pressures to expand business parks in East Devon >>> Blackhill Quarry, Woodbury: making a mockery of the government's environmental initiative "A green future - Our 25 year plan to Improve the Environment"

The East Devon Watch blog carries a statement from the District Cllr who has responsibility for Ladram Bay issues:

UNREST IN OTTERTON – PLANNING POLICIES IN SHAMBLES

8 SEP 2018

Otterton Residents frustration to visitor and contractor traffic.

Residents in the beautiful village of Otterton are very concerned after the hot summer which has seen a heavy increase to their village roads with serious problems in noise pollution and traffic with visitors to Ladram Bay Holiday Park and now large mobile homes getting stuck in the village and causing further frustration to local people.

Residents blame EDDC and the County Council for allowing the Holiday Park to expand over the last 20 years and not listening to their views or those of the Parish Council concerns.

However, District Councillor Cllr Geoff Jung who has been the District Councillor for the last 3 years for Raleigh Ward that includes Ladram Bay, says:

“I have done everything possible to control the expansion of the Holiday Park. The Park is there and there is nothing that a Planning Authority can do to reduce its size.”

“The East Devon Local Plan does not support any further expansion for any Holiday Park within the AONB, and with the site being on the Jurassic Coast which is a World Heritage site, this you would think would be reason enough to protect the area from further expansion.”

“However as demonstrated at East Devon’s planning meeting last Tuesday regarding Industrial units to be built at Blackhill Quarry in the AONB of Woodbury Common, that although it was against East Devon’s local plan policies, the lack of support from Natural England and the controlling party Tory Councillors supporting Enterprise over Environmental issues, the committee unfortunately voted to approve the application by just one vote!!”

“The justification for Blackhill was – it will provide jobs and unfortunately RSPB and National England did not object won the day. I fear the same will happen when three outstanding Ladram Bay planning applications that are being considered at present.”

The 3 planning Applications awaiting determination are:

18/2015/FUL LPG storage tanks Ladram Bay Otterton Budleigh Salterton EX9 7BX.
This is for the siting of large storage tanks in the field above the existing Holiday Park and the Public Road.

8/1517/FUL Retrospective application for a new ‘splash’ zone adjacent to the indoor swimming pool, extension to viewing deck at junction of beach and slipway; relocation and re-orientation of bases and addition of static caravan. These developments have already been built and the owners have been requested to summit the applications to comply to Planning Policy.
The Jurassic Coast Trust has objected, plus the Parish Council and 10 individuals. The Planning department are awaiting further comments from the AONB and Natural England before they come to a decision.

17/1584/FUL for revisions to a planning permission submitted in 2016, 16/1709/FUL for the construction of new service yard and building. Again, this application covers work that has already been carried out with new roads car park and a service yard being built one third larger than originally approved.

This application is being held up for further landscaping proposals from the applicant before it can be finally being determined by the planning department.

Unrest in Otterton – planning policies in shambles | East Devon Watch
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Sunday, 8 July 2018

Growing organic lupins at Otterton - as an alternative to importing soya

This evening's Countryfile took us to just over Peak Hill, towards Otterton:

Towering lupins, with their vibrant flowers, are always a draw to keen gardeners at the flower show but they’re now also in demand with farmers…and for entirely different reasons.

Adam finds out how lupins could be about to change both arable and livestock farming… as a replacement for soya in animal feed.

He’s visiting south Devon where Sam Walker runs a 270-acre organic mixed arable and beef farm. Sam is also currently growing lupins as part of a trial to see if they could be a feasible source of protein in feed.

For farmers like Sam, lupins provide other benefits, as useful bedding and straw and the plants’ long tap roots help make for a good seed bed for the next crop.

But could they really prove to be a lucrative alternative to soya?

BBC One - Countryfile, Hampton Court

It's all about alternatives:
Alternative sources of protein for animal feed: Lupins | Farming Connect
How lupins can save on livestock feed costs - Farmers Weekly
Could lupins provide an alternative source of organic protein? Innovative Farmers

With a little more here:

Countryfile to feature organic Lupins trial

5th July

Organic Lupins trial to feature on BBC's Countryfile

Mole Valley Farmers’ ground breaking trial work looking at growing lupins as a source of homegrown, organic protein will appear on BBC One’s Countryfile, this Sunday, July 8.

Gloucestershire farmer and Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson will speak to Mole Valley Farmers’ Organic Feed Development Manager, Nigel Mapstone at Stantyway Farm on the Clinton Devon Estate to find out about the potential benefits of growing the crop.

Stantyway Farm is one of five farms in the South West growing lupins as part of a Mole Valley Farmers project run in conjunction with Innovative Farmers - a not for profit network that runs farm-based “field labs” on topics chosen by farmers. Innovative Farmers is run by The Soil Association and funded by several parties, including The Prince’s Charities.

The project has been designed to help address challenges surrounding sustainable sourcing of organic protein and to attempt to overcome the perception that lupins are difficult to grow. The ultimate aim is for Mole Valley Farmers to reduce their reliance on imported organic proteins and use British grown feed. The hope is that by proving the viability of lupins on British soils, farmers will be keen to grow the crop for Mole Valley.

Nigel says: “At this point, Mole Valley Farmers seems well on the way to demonstrating that organic lupins are a viable alternative cash crop for organic arable farmer. Although the yields will be much less than cereals, the value per hectare should be similar. And as the weight of the crop taken in less, the amount of nutrients taken out of the soil will also be reduced. As an added bonus, as they are a legume, the lupins should even put a bit of nitrogen back.”

Arable and beef farmer Sam Walker, from Stantyway Farm, believes lupins could have a significant role to play in his organic rotation, if they prove reliable. He will also be sharing his thoughts with Adam Henson on Sunday’s show.

Sam says: “Everyone is concerned with food miles. For me, Lupins also fulfil several objectives; It’s a good legume to put in the rotation and if I can get the yield right, the margin on it could be better than organic first wheat. I’m keen to improve soils and I think they could help with that. They’ve got a great big root and if they leave a nice, fine, crumbly, seed-bed, it may mean I can plough less.”

>> Tune in to Countryfile on Sunday 8 July at 7pm to see Adam Henson interview Nigel Mapstone about the lupins trial.

Countryfile to feature organic Lupins trial | Somerset County Gazette

And more here:

Meet the new tenants who are running an idyllic farm on the East Devon coast

Sam and Nell Walker have been successfully chosen to take on Stantyway Farm, a 264 acre arable organic farm located just above the idyllic village of Otterton between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth

Daniel Clark Local Democracy Reporter
15 SEP 2017

New tenants for a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a tenant farmer on the spectacular East Devon Jurassic Coast have been chosen.

Sam and Nell Walker have been successfully chosen to take on Stantyway Farm, a 264 acre arable organic farm located just above the idyllic village of Otterton between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth.

Sam and Nell have been tenant farmers on Devon County Council’s North Ground Farm, a 113-acre starter farm at Milton Abbot, near Tavistock, for nearly four years.

Through hard work and dedication they’ve developed their business, demonstrating a commitment that has led Clinton Devon Estates to offer them tenancy of their 264-acre arable organic farm, Stantyway Farm, in Otterton.

Sam and Nell Walker are the new tenants of Stantyway Farm. (Image: Picture NPS South West)

Cllr Caroline Chugg, Devon County Council’s Chairman of the Farms Estate Committee, said: “It demonstrates the value of our Farms Estate in providing a first opportunity for many people to break into the farming industry, before being able to move on to new opportunities.”

Sam Walker is also a part-time agricultural lecturer at Duchy College and is experienced in many different areas of farming. His focus at North Ground farm has been rearing youngstock onto fat cattle, adapting the former dairy farm into a fit-for-purpose beef unit.

He’s also established a herbal grass ley trial field in collaboration with Reading University, hosting many visits from students and the public to the North Ground farm, establishing an Open Farm Sunday event

Stantyway Farm near Otterton with land right up to the coast. (Image: Guy Newman)

Stantyway is Clinton Devon Estates first farm to be let on the open market in 20 years. It had been farmed by the same family for two generations until the previous tenant’s retirement three years ago when it became part of the Estates’ in-hand operations.

Sam said: “We’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Clinton Devon Estates are highly regarded landlords and Stantyway Farm will give us the chance to expand our business in new and exciting ways.

“We’d like to thank Clinton Devon Estates for putting their faith in us, as well as the Devon County Farms Estates for giving us the chance to prove ourselves at North Ground.”

Devon County Council has a farms estate totalling almost 10,000 acres. Its 68 dairy and mixed livestock farms are made up of starter and progression units. They are let with a view to tenants moving on to secure independent livelihoods in due course.

Cllr Chugg added: “We have a very successful Council-owned farms estate for many years now and while the types of businesses that have operated from our farms have evolved over the years, the principle behind maintaining the estate remains the same – to provide the opportunity for people like Sam and Nell the chance to develop successful businesses, with the intention for them eventually to move on to larger farms.

“My congratulations to Sam and Nell. They have done an excellent job at North Ground Farm and we’re delighted that they’re now able to use the expertise, knowledge and experience they’ve gained to take on this new and exciting opportunity.”

Stantyway Farm near Otterton.

This was the first time in 20 years that the owners, Clinton Devon Estates, have let a farm on the open market. Stantyway Farm is one of 30 tenant farms on the 25,000 acre estate which encompasses farmland, forests and public open space as well as residential and commercial property across North and East Devon.

Stantyway Farm includes a recently refurbished four-bedroom detached farmhouse and a range of modern, well-kept farm buildings on an easily accessible yard. Harvesting is due this summer, after which it will be left as grassland and stubble for the new tenant in September.

Meet the new tenants who are running an idyllic farm on the East Devon coast - Devon Live
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Monday, 15 January 2018

Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > report from latest meeting Tuesday 9th January

Last week, a meeting was held in Otterton to consider residents' concerns about local planning issues:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9th January

This followed on from a bit of a rumpus at the previous meeting:
Holiday park boss accused of intimidating councillor in village row - Devon Live
Ladram Bay holding public meeting over Otterton traffic | Latest Exmouth News - Exmouth Journal

Here's a report of Tuesday's meeting from County Cllr Claire Wright, who called this meeting together with District Cllr Geoff Jung:

Standing room only at productive Otterton residents meeting to discuss traffic and planning

Friday, 12 January 2018 0 Comments by Claire

It was standing room only earlier this week, as over 100 Otterton residents flocked to the village hall to hear the latest situation on planning and to give their views on what might help the traffic situation in the village.

The meeting, which was organised by EDDC Cllr Geoff Jung and I, took place on Tuesday 9 January, was arranged by district councillor, Geoff Jung and I following a public meeting at Ladram Bay Holiday Park in November. This was organised after feedback from residents to the parish council and I that residents were concerned about the relentless expansion of the caravan park and the levels and speed of traffic in the village.

The meeting also attracted five members of the East Devon District Council planning committee, including chair, Cllr Mike Howe and chair of the EDDC scrutiny committee, Cllr Roger Giles.

Planning
Cllr Geoff Jung gave a presentation about various planning issues affecting the village including the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (more large-scale development in East Devon) and the Otterton Neighbourhood Plan. He also outlined the policies that need to form the basis of responding to a planning application.

To gasps from members of the public, Cllr Jung also showed a slide which showed how much larger the latest Ladram Bay development is, compared with the planning consent granted. It was also built before the company - FWS Carter, had applied for planning consent.

Geoff said he was keen to hear from anyone who was aware of any unresolved planning matters at the complex.

Points and questions included:
• Feeling of the planners in respect of the new development
• Retrospective applications – how can they be prevented?
• What is the situation with the original conditions of the planning consent, much of which hadn’t been met?
• Comment about EDDC reluctance to serve enforcement notices, other authorities are keener to do so.

Cllr Howe, chair of the EDDC planning committee responded including:
- all objections are considered, but these have to be relevant to planning policy, so lawful approval or refusal is possible.
- retrospective applications are treated as any other application.
- comments with traffic to Ladram Bay have to come from Devon Highways or other traffic experts.

Cllr Jung told the meeting that better planning controls were needed and that any development should improve or enhance the area.

Traffic
Ian Birch of the Otterton traffic group presented his findings on two sessions of traffic monitoring during August and November.

The following findings emerged:

- traffic increases in the village by around 50 per cent overall in the summer, compared to winter
- the traffic travelling up Ladram Road (no through road to Ladram Bay Holiday Park) is around 35 per cent of all traffic movements in the summer, however, this is less in the winter
- traffic has increased in the village by around 15 per cent since 2013 (NB the last DCC 2013 survey was 24 hour and not 12 hour as carried out by residents last year, so one might expect the traffic increase would be higher in reality)

I asked people for their views on which issues they found most pressing in relation to highways. A number of people contributed and I asked how many people agreed that each issue raised was one of the most pressing issues, using a show of hands approach.

A really great and positive discussion took place and 45 minutes later I (and others) had a list of actions to meet with the local highways officer about.

These are:
• Move 30mph signs to the edge of village at White Lodge, Ottery Street and to the entrance of Holiday camp in Ladram Road
• Damage to hedgerows particularly in Ladram Road (To be pursued by Otterton Parish Council
• SLOW signs in Ladram Road need repainting
- Try to get some enforcement of large vehicle size limit in the form of signage
• Street parking , particularly Fore Street
- Residents parking scheme in the form of a car park on the Triangle (to be pursued in the first instance under the Neighbourhood Plan)
• Highways should be commenting on planning applications
• Further traffic surveys needed (to be undertaken by the traffic residents team)
• DCC to also carry out further traffic surveys
• A flashing speed sign to be provided as part of the 20mph zone.

I also reiterated my position on opposing further expansion of Ladram Bay Holiday Park on highways grounds.

A 20mph zone with a flashing speed sign (which I am aware has been attempted on previous occasions by the previous councillor, Christine Channon) was the intervention that the majority of residents present wished me to pursue. I am happy to fund this from my locality budget.

I will be meeting a highways officer with members of the parish council soon to discuss things in more detail….

Pic: Cllr Mike Howe, EDDC planning committee chair, addresses the meeting.

Standing room only at productive Otterton residents meeting to discuss traffic and planning - Claire Wright Otterton – results of meeting called by Independent councillors | East Devon Watch
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Monday, 8 January 2018

Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9th January

Back in November, there was a rather confrontational meeting at Otterton:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for tomorrow:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting planned for Tuesday 9th January

Here is further information for the area's County Councillor:

Public meeting TOMORROW EVENING at Otterton to discuss traffic and planning issues

Monday, 08 January 2018 1 Comment by Claire

EDDC councillor, Geoff Jung and I are holding a public meeting tomorrow evening at Otterton Village Hall, to discuss planning issues and how the current difficult traffic situation might be mitigated.

It follows an earlier controversial public meeting at Ladram Bay Holiday Park in November, attended by around 70 people - see http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/director_of_ladram_bay_attempts_to_silence_me_at_public_meeting

Following that meeting I have been asked by several members of the public for a follow up meeting to debate possible solutions particularly in relation to the traffic issues.

Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 7pm and is at Otterton Village Hall. All residents of Otterton are welcome to attend.

Comments

1. At 03:24 pm on 08th Jan Sandra Semple wrote:

I do hope as many people as possible video and record this meeting.

Public meeting TOMORROW EVENING at Otterton to discuss traffic and planning issues - Claire Wright.
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Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues > further meeting planned for Tuesday 9th January

Following on from a meeting last month to look at traffic issues through the village of Otterton:
Futures Forum: Ladram Bay caravan park > local business, the local community and traffic issues

... where there were unpleasant confrontations:
Holiday park boss accused of intimidating councillor in village row - Devon Live

... there will a further meeting planned for next month:

Public meeting in Otterton to discuss Ladram Bay planning issues and traffic

Monday, 11 December 2017 0 Comments by Claire

Following feedback that many residents would like another opportunity to discuss Ladram Bay’s planning issues, and the high level of traffic in the village, EDDC councillor, Geoff Jung and I have organised a public meeting for next month.

The letter below is currently winging its way around Otterton.

Many thanks to the residents who are kindly delivering it!

Dear Otterton resident

RE: PUBLIC MEETING IN OTTERTON VILLAGE HALL – TUESDAY 9 JANUARY - 7PM

Following previous letters to you relating to the volume and speed of traffic through the village and the public meeting at Ladram Bay last month, we are writing to let you know that we are holding a public meeting in Otterton Village Hall, on the above date and time.

We received feedback after the Ladram Bay meeting that many of you remain unhappy with the traffic situation and also wish to be kept informed about the ongoing planning issues at the caravan park and would like a further public meeting to discuss the issues.

The aim of the meeting will be to hear about the latest planning developments at Ladram Bay as well as to hear from you what you see as the main traffic problems and how they might be resolved.

The most recent development at the entrance to Ladram Bay has not been built to the approved planning consent and has been constructed far larger, as well as other planning irregularities that require retrospective planning consent. Geoff has made his opposition very clear on this to planning officers at East Devon District Council.

Please note that there are continuing significant budget cuts at Devon County Council and so we will need to be mindful of this when proposing potential solutions relating to traffic.

Claire will take these suggestions/proposals forward with highways officers.

Claire receives many complaints from residents right across the Otter Valley Ward relating to highways issues and some are more significant than others. Otterton, she believes, does have a very real problem and she would very much like to help with mitigating those problems.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Yours sincerely

Claire Wright Geoff Jung

Public meeting in Otterton to discuss Ladram Bay planning issues and traffic - Claire Wright

Cllr Wright certainly received overwhelming support from constituents and members of the public at the last meeting:
Director of Ladram Bay Holiday Park attempts intimidation at public meeting - Claire Wright

Ladram Bay managers deny attempted intimidation at last week’s public meeting - Claire Wright.
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Thursday, 7 December 2017

Devolution and Sidmouth Urban District Council

With central government priorities elsewhere, devolution deals seem to be in such a mess at the moment:
Futures Forum: The Devon/Somerset bid for devolved powers and funds > unrealistic, not credible and needing to explain a lot more
Futures Forum: Devolution proposals for Devon and Somerset >>> "focusing on delivering improved productivity" or "an unelected, one-party combined authority"?

Attempts to bring District Councils together are foundering:
Poorer Devon council refuses to merge with richer council which agreed to own council tax rise to take it over! | East Devon Watch
BBC Local Live: Devon & Cornwall on Wednesday 1 November 2017 - BBC News

Even though it seems to make good sense:
Futures Forum: Rethinking devolution > abolish district councils
'Abolish Devon district and borough councils to create super authority', study says - Devon Live

Meanwhile, there are serious thoughts about 'devolution for Sidmouth':

One thought on ““Have your say on changes to East Devon constituency boundary””

Hibou says:

20 Oct 2017 at 4:41pm

Can we move Sidmouth out of EDDC please?

“Have your say on changes to East Devon constituency boundary” | East Devon Watch

SHOULD THE EAST DEVON DISTRICT BE SPLIT?
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF EASTERN EAST DEVON?

21 OCT 2017

A recent commentator on this blog wants to see Sidmouth leave EDDC.

This raises an interesting possibility.

There is a case for EDDC being broken up as it is already the largest District Council in Devon, and the fastest growing. Increasingly, our district council concentrates on its western side – the Science Park, Cranbrook – the LEP Growth Area – and aligns itself more and more with “Greater Exeter” with other communities feeling increasingly out on an ignored limb.

It would seem from anecdotal evidence that he vast majority of Sidmouth residents would vote to leave EDDC, especially when EDDC is cutting all its ties with the town and moving physically and increasingly representationally to Honiton/Exeter.

The interesting bit is whether other communities would wish to join with Sidmouth in a ‘breakaway’. Would Newton Poppleford, Otterton, Branscombe and Beer, Ottery, Budleigh, Colyton and Seaton be up for creating a new largely rural and coastal authority? And what to call it? Eastern East Devon? Jurassic Devon?

There would be no problem over viability. Some functions might still be shared. Others, such as street cleaning, could be devolved to town council level where it belongs.

There would be an obvious improvement in democratisation, and representation, and, crucially, a big improvement in the quality of councillors. There is also an interesting opportunity to create from the outset a non-party-political district responsible for its own planning. Far more people would stand for an authority when they had a much greater say in decisions affecting their own community; when they and they alone decided on such things as health care, education and environment without having to kowtow to “Greater Exeter”.

Jurassic Devon would have a population of about 50,000, which many would say would be close to the ideal.

Time to consider the break away?

Should the East Devon district be split? The People’s Republic of Eastern East Devon? | East Devon Watch

See also:
Another reason to have a breakaway eastern East Devon? | East Devon Watch
New schemes will be a boost for housing and jobs in Devon | News centre

This question is very much connected to Sidmouth's hottest issues:
‘Knowle is part of our heritage’ - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: who owns what: further research
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> of covenants and land-swapping at Port Royal
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Tuesday, 21 November 2017

On the River Otter >>> Adopt a beaver!

Beavers are being brought back to Cornwall:
Futures Forum: Reintroducing beavers to Cornwall - to mitigate flooding - to filter water - to enhance biodiversity

And meanwhile, their reintroduction to Devon has brought considerable attention:
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: Radio 4's Natural Histories goes in search of East Devon's beavers
Futures Forum: On the River Otter: Beaver Trial awarded the ‘Wildlife Success Story of the Year’

The press continues to follow the success of the project - with the latest on their growing numbers:
Beaver numbers living in the River Otter treble - Devon Live

Here's what the Herald has to say:

Celebrations as River Otter beaver numbers grow

PUBLISHED: 10:50 21 November 2017 | UPDATED: 10:50 21 November 2017

Clarissa Place

Female adult beaver with her kits, taken near Otterton. Credit: Mike Symes.

The River Otter’s ‘thriving’ beaver population has grown by 300 per cent since 2015 with six family groups now living around its waters.

The Devon Wildlife Trust [DWT] says the reintroduction project is going from ‘strength to strength’ and estimates there are 27 animals living along the river, rising from nine when it launched its beaver trial two years ago.

DWT’s Stephen Hussey said: “The beavers are doing well, they are not fast breeders and each pairing will have one litter a year and usually two or four kits.

“It is suggesting there is a lot of room for the beavers and we are a long way from beaver maximum numbers on the river, what is happening is the beavers are spreading along to different territories.”

The charity is now halfway through its project after it was granted a five year licence to study the creature to 2020.

The trial is led in partnership with landowners Clinton Devon Estates and also working with Exeter University, who is co-ordinating research into the impacts the beavers have on the local environment.

Devon Wildlife Trust reports increase in beavers numbers on River Otter - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And here's a suggestion for that perfect stocking filler:

Adopt a beaver to raise funds for River Otter trial

PUBLISHED: 11:34 21 November 2017 | UPDATED: 11:34 21 November 2017

Daniel Wilkins

Devon Wildife Trust is giving people the chance to 'adopt a beaver' to raise funds for the River Otter beaver Trial

Devon Wildlife Trust has launched an ‘adopt-a-beaver’ campaign to raise funds for the River Otter Beaver Trial, due to end in 2020.

A virtual beaver adoption campaign has been launched to raise vital funds for a conservation project.

Devon Wildlife Trust is hoping the ‘Adopt-a-Beaver’ campaign will raise cash for its five-year River Otter Beaver Trial.

The project, which is due to run until 2020, aims to gather evidence on the beavers’ impact on the landscape and wildlife, infrastructure and farm businesses in the Otter Valley.

Now people have the chance to ‘virtually’ adopt a beaver and those who do will receive a special pack including a toy beaver wearing a Devon Wildlife Trust t-shirt.

Dan Smith, of the trust, said: “It’s heartening to see the continued enthusiasm for Devon’s beavers, more than two years after DWT first re-introduced beavers back on to the river after their health screening.

“Again this year, dozens of wildlife watchers gathered on the River Otter’s footpaths on summer evenings to spot parent beavers swimming with their new-born kits.”

• Beaver gifts are available from www.devonwildlifetrust.org/support-devon-beavers or by calling 01392 279244.

Adopt a beaver for River Otter Beaver Trial - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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