The Drill Hall in Sidmouth was built in 1894 and has since the two wars been used as a mixed use space for the community, the home of Sidmouth Folk Week, and a live music venue.

Those that have played there include Mercury Music Prize nominee Sam Lee and Steve Knightley (Show of Hands) who played his first gig there aged 16.

It is the last building on the seafront at Sidmouth and the last site that can be renovated for the community, for education, for live music and much else, or it can be knocked down and ultimately turned into expensive apartments.

In Nov 2011, East Devon District Council (EDDC) approved a motion to demolish the building and replace it with a car park. After much pressure, they added to their Local Plan that the site would ultimately go to developers to build 30 dwellings on the site.

They have now submitted a planning application (to themselves) to demolish the building.

The deadline for comments and objections to be received by EDDC is 12th November 2012. Monday.

Please write asap to – Planning, EDDC, The Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL

or email planning@eastdevon.gov.uk

One quick email to that address expressing your objection and the lack of proper process will count.

Visit www.sidmouthdrillhall.org 

or http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MBXVKEGH09100

Please help. Please act quickly, and please forward this email.

We are asking that;

• A hold on any plans for demolition is made for a minimum period of 6 months
• That we are allowed access to the building so that an independent surveyor can carry out an inspection
• That they provide evidence of ownership of the site on which the building was built. We understand the site was given to the people of Sidmouth by its original owner and they therefore have no right to touch it.
• That the future of the building is put to the community, and not decided by EDDC council officers that do not live in Sidmouth but know the value of that site to themselves and developers

It will destroy years of history and local businesses such as Sidmouth Trawlers situated immediately behind it that have fished the area for many generations.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/9654131/Town-takes-to-streets-over-beauty-spot-threat-as-council-faces-scrutiny.html