Save Our Sidmouth

Public’s response to Local Plan: some samples (continued)

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Here’s sample 2:

Local Plan response.

‘Ref Point No. R  6.316 – Potential Employment Land. Sidford.
I am writing to object to the proposed employment site on the A375 between Sidford & Sidbury. The following are my reasons for the objection.
The proposed site is within the AONB as it exists at the present time and that land should not be built on unless it is absolutely necessary for the good of the local community. Local opinion does not support development in that location. If landowners & local businesses seek to make profits that is not sufficient reason to develop within an AONB.
Where is the evidence that more employment sites are needed in the local area. Heathpark, Honiton is nearby and has a number of vacant units and there is more than adequate employment development planned in East devon. Skypark & Cranbrook are within easy travelling distance & are planned to produce many high quality jobs. Hillbarton & Greendale estates are also near. The existing employment sites in Sidmouth at Manstone, Alexandria Estate & EDDC Offices at the Knowle should be retained & developed to their full potential. Those sites should not be given over to housing or supermarket use.
The road access to the proposed Sidford site is poor, the narrow roads in School Sreet & through Sidbury are totally unsuitable for lorries & are also heavily congested at times.
The proposed site is very close to houses & would be environmentally disastrous to those properties.
The proposed employment site is very visible from all sides of the Sid Valley especially from Trow Hill. If the site is developed the green, rural approaches to Sidmouth will be lost forever & there would be no division between Sidford & Sidbury .
The proposed site is on a flood plain adjoining the River Sid & a brook running down the Burscombe Valley to join the Sid crosses the site. The site & the access points have been badly flooded twice (July & November) in 2012 together with domestic & commercial premises downstream. Whatever flood mitigation measures are built into the final design the flooding threat to properties downstream of the site will only get worse. I also understand that it is proposed to culvert the Burscombe brook across the site. If that is done there is a very real threat that the culvert would get blocked causing flooding to Two Bridges Road & houses adjacent to the brook.
If more employment land is really needed a more suitable site may be adjacent to Sidmouth Garden Centre along the A3052 to opposite Waitrose. Road access is much better, from the A3052. It is not near housing & could be better screened with suitable landscaping.
Similar plans for the Sidford site were rejected by EDDC 35 years ago for reasons of flooding, traffic problems & being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Flood risk & traffic problems have only got worse since e & the proposed site is still within the AONB.
The 450 acres of employment land planned for East Devon is grossly excessive. Businesses will choose sites with easier access to the A30 &  M5 & the Sidford site would be un-economic. Would it then become an out of town retail park to the detriment of Sidmouth Town Centre?’

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