Knowle relocation project: green corridor

Several trees in the Knowle parkland are under threat:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: planting lots of trees in mitigation for felling existing trees

Including this magnificent Magnolia grandiflora growing right beside the existing building:

Sidmouth Arboretum - Our Trees

An observation from almost five years ago puts this into context: 


Time’s ticking away for Knowle: Green Corridors

January 24, 2013 by sidmouthsid Leave a comment

Only 8 days are left for the public to send their comments (for the 4th time now!!) on EDDC’s latest revised Plans for Knowle. (For details, see 17 Jan post on this website, or Diary Dates at http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com or EDDC website).

A series of Time’s ticking away posts will be added here in the coming week, with some of the Knowle issues, in no particular order. ( Knowle Watch in our categories column, might also be helpful. It’s to the right of this page.)

Green Corridors is the first of these:

> EDDC seek to damage the image of Sidmouth as a tourism destination.

> A most attractive aspect of Sidmouth is the way in which the townscape respectfully engages with its spectacular natural setting.

> Previous custodians have cherished the resort treasuring the fine balance of buildings and landscape trying to conserve it for the delight of future generations.

> It is a major reason why the SVA has been fighting for over 160 years or so to protect our green and pleasant land.

> Its green wedges have purposefully been established to preserve this harmonious co-existence between the man made and nature.

> Some of the wedges follow the valleys and streams creating ancient ecological corridors for creatures and plants to pass through and spread.

> EDDC plans, to eradicate fauna and concrete the green wedge linking the Knowle Park to AONB land at the Manor ,will choke an important eco-corridor leading to the heart of the resort.

> Ignoring the wisdom of their forefathers the self-serving EDDC cabinet members (none of whom have a ward in Sidmouth) seek to despoil Sid Vale and destroy its fragile biodiversity.



Information and picture supplied by Graham Cooper


Time’s ticking away for Knowle: Green Corridors | Save Our Sidmouth

And how the District Council defines 'green space' has become highly politicised:
An oversupply of parkland in Sidmouth? | Save Our Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Knowle: the Byes and when a 'meadow' is a 'park'...
Futures Forum: Knowle: the Byes and when a 'meadow' is a 'park': part two
Futures Forum: Knowle: the Byes and when a 'meadow' is a 'park': part three
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL >>> and the rejected planning application 12/1847/MOUT of 1st March 2013 >>> Part one: "Contrary to Policy RE1 (Retention of Land for Sport and Recreation)"

As the District Council's own planning committee said back in March 2013 when it rejected the first planning application:

1 - Contrary to Policy RE1 (Retention of Land for Sport and Recreation)

The first point of refusal was the fact that the application was contrary to policies to protect and retain Parks and Recreation Grounds:

Applications for Planning Permission and matters for determination

RESOLVED: that the application 12/1847/MOUT be refused, contrary to Officer recommendation, for the following reasons:

1. The proposed development incorporates the construction of dwellings on parts of the site currently used as an area of open space which forms an important amenity for residents of Sidmouth and should be retained for the benefit of the community. 

The proposal does not include alternative provision of equivalent community benefit and it has not been demonstrated that sports and recreation facilities can best be retained and enhanced through the development. 

Furthermore the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the open space is surplus to requirements and the development is therefore considered to be contrary to Policy RE1 (Retention of Land for Sport and Recreation) of the adopted East Devon Local Plan and the guidance of paragraph 74 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/special_dev_man_010313_mins.pdf

The current planning application submitted by PegasusLife also 'incorporates the construction of dwellings on parts of the site currently used as an area of open space'

16/0872/MFUL | The construction of an assisted living community for older people comprising extra care units, staff accommodation and communal facilities, including a kitchen, restaurant/bar/cafe, a well-being suite comprising gym, treatment rooms and pool, a communal lounge and storage facilities; car parking for residents, visitors and staff of the assisted living community; comprehensive landscaping comprising communal and private spaces; and associated groundworks. | Council Offices Knowle Sidmouth EX10 8HL

With more detail here:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL >>> and the rejected planning application 12/1847/MOUT of 1st March 2013 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Part one: "Contrary to Policy RE1 (Retention of Land for Sport and Recreation)"
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL > Policies D1, D2 and D3 >>> Trees
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: planning application to be considered by District Council: Tuesday 6th December >>> planning officers brush aside planning policies

Ultimately, though, the current planning application was rejected because it was just too 'massive':

REFUSED (contrary to officer recommendation) with delegated authority given to the Development Manager to draft reasons for refusal. Members considered that: 

 the proposal represented overdevelopment of the site due to its scale and massing being out of character with the area resulting in a detrimental impact upon the amenity of surrounding residents; 

 the proposal represented a C3 rather than a C2 use; 

 the public benefits from the proposed development did not outweigh the harm to the heritage asset.

Development Management Committee - Tuesday 6 December 2016
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: planning application REFUSED by District Council >>> further reports

Finally, everything's going to be alright because the Town Council is going to take care of the (remaining) park land:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: selling off assets for £1
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