Knowle relocation project: >>> planning application REFUSED by District Council >>> further reports

A long time ago, the District Council wanted to move to Skypark - and yet more recently they gave themselves planning permission to move to Honiton:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: of Tribunals, moving to Skypark and granting oneself planning permission

For the moment, they are going nowhere:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: BREAKING NEWS >>> planning application REFUSED by District Council

The local press reports:
EDDC refuses plans for 113 retirement apartments at Knowle - News - Sidmouth Herald
Planning application for Knowle apartments in Sidmouth refused - View News

As ever, the East Devon Watch blog gives sharp comment:

WHEN AND HOW WILL PEGASUSLIFE SPRING BACK TO LIFE?

7 DEC 2016

Cynics amongst East Devon Watch’s readers (the majority one might suspect) are already considering aspects of yesterday’s refusal of planning permission for the Knowle site.

Of course, there is the prospect of an appeal. But there are also other scenarios being mentioned.

Some suggest that this refusal suits both PegasusLife and East Devon District Council – the former so that it can tweak its application in the light of the current economic climate and resubmit and the latter because a delay in building the new Honiton HQ might be in the council’s own interests, given the same current economic climate and the need to almost certainly raise more money due to increased costs. Also there have been some misgivings expressed by Tory councillors on the design of the new building (which does look rather like a people warehouse) and considered hardly befitting the status and importance of the people warehoused within it:



Others suggest that, as “Greater Exeter” moves ever more quickly (and secretly) forward it might be better for EDDC to cut its losses on a new Honiton HQ which would only be a satellite amongst satellites and therefore not needed to be so large (or maybe not needed at all if the Exmouth premises are large enough). Not to mention the messy complications of devolution and its effect on all district councils in Devon.

Others have even suggested that EDDC has had a better offer from a hotel chain which shall be nameless!

Whatever the reason, we can be absolutely sure that, like the Terminator, it will be back!

When and how will PegasusLife spring back to life? | East Devon Watch

Plus:

WELL DONE THOSE EDDC TORY COUNCILLORS! BUT WATCH YOUR BACKS NOW

7 DEC 2016

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Tory councillors Grundy (Exe Valley) and Pepper (Broadclyst) were the two sensible councillors who voted against the PegasusLife Knowle planning application.

So, no-one can accuse anyone of a “Sidmouth stitch up”.

It seems unlikely that the two councillors will be getting any gifts from under the Tory Christmas tree from Santa Phil Twiss – the official EDDC Tory Whip – who denies ever having used it but who is said to be less than chuffed at the result.

Of course, not being whipped, no-one will expect them to be removed from the DMC for not following non-whipped orders ….

Well done those EDDC Tory councillors! But watch your backs now | East Devon Watch
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