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Monday 9 February 2015

Knowle relocation project: "Rather than expensive vanity projects, they should stay in their old home in Sidmouth (even expensive to heat) and concentrate on spending our money more wisely."

The discontent over the Knowle relocation project is not simple NIMBYism.

As reported by the SOS blog last week: 
Despite constant challenges from all over the District (EDDC’s planned move from Knowle is not just a Sidmouth NIMBY matter),the Head of the Office Relocation Project, Richard Cohen, seems to be blindly heading for disaster.
Richard Cohen on the marketing of Knowle and related issues | Save Our Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: Legal notice for 'Disposal' and 'Appropriation' of Open Space: further information

These attitudes go beyond the relocation project.

As reported in a submission to the draft Local Plan:
The reaction of council leaders to public criticism of the Local Plan has compounded the climate of mistrust and anger in Sidmouth and throughout East Devon. Misleading and offensive comments by the Council Leader including the allegation that critics were a small, elderly, minority of ‘NIMBYS’, and the Chief Executive’s comment that they were ‘politically motivated’ have made ‘meaningful community engagement’ almost impossible.
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/3695-mranthonygreen.pdf

The planning minister has been equally dismissive:
New planning minister suggests Nimbys have had their day
Brandon Lewis appears to suggest that Nimbyism is on the wane as he hails official figures showing a big jump in the proportion of Britons wanting new houses built near their homes
New planning minister suggests Nimbys have had their day - Telegraph
“NIMBYs have had their day” says new planning minister | East Devon Watch
Futures Forum: "More people want more homes"

And yet the minister seems to contradict himself:
Local residents will have a greater say over the future development of their area, under plans announced by Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis today (31 July 2014).
Cutting red tape to breathe new life into local communities - Press releases - GOV.UK
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: What exactly is 'consultation' in East Devon?

This is exactly what many are asking for in East Devon.

And people well beyond the back yard of Knowle are asking the District Council to rethink:

A MOVING PLEA TO EDDC – DON’T MOVE!
5th February 2015
Letter in today’s Exmouth Journal:
I live in a big old house that costs a lot to heat and maintain, and with my budget tightening, I certainly won’t plan to move.
I don’t think East Devon District Council should move either. Not to Exmouth. Not to Honiton.
To waste £700,000 of our money “just thinking about it” (Cllr Ben Ingham’s letter, January 29) while at the same time drastically cutting services seems not the wisest of moves.
We need more common sense voices like the Independent Claire Wright to urge sense and sensibility on our council.
Rather than expensive vanity projects, they should stay in their old home in Sidmouth (even expensive to heat) and concentrate on spending our money more wisely.
May I make a moving plea to our council: Don’t Move!
JED FALBY
Budleigh Salterton.

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