Sidford Business Park > "the need for the development has not been proven, with the existing employment site at Alexandria Road still having capacity."

The developer at the proposed industrial estate says "Sidmouth needs new employment space as areas such as the Alexandria Estate were full."
New business park plan is unveiled | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Business park plans back on the table for Devon beauty spot - Devon Live

This was said five years ago to support the application then:
FORDS: ‘Our £5million Sidmouth jobs vision’ | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

The Town Council doesn't agree: “The proposed development could adversely affect the economic viability of Sidmouth's town centre and the need for the development had not been proven with the existing employment site at Alexandria Road still having capacity.”
Unanimous town council objection against new Sidford business park plan - Devon Live

Indeed, a study by Graham Cooper from five years ago made the point very clearly and very comprehensively - and is still as relevant to the current application:

https://saveoursidmouth.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/alexroadstudy.pdf
alexroadstudy.pdf
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