TOMORROW morning, (Tuesday 6 Dec) is when the EDDC must approve or disapprove the PegasusLife planning application IN ITS ENTIRETY. The decision, possibly with recommendations, will then go to EDDC Cabinet before Christmas, for confirmation.

The public can attend tomorrow’s meeting, which begins at 10.30 a.m. in the Council Chamber (pictured below).

Some relevant visual information, already recorded on the futuresforumvgsblogspot this week, is as follows:

Based on PegasusLife’s own perspectives, and the one which appeared in the Sidmouth Herald (2nd December) , the following views show what the setting of the listed summerhouse would apparently be like, were the developers’ plans  allowed to go ahead.

Below, Valentine’s card of Knowle , dated 1904, showing listed summerhouse, whose setting is subject to planning laws.

Footnote from SOS:

Knowle Council Chamber as it is now, used as a public amenity. The building has considerable local distinctiveness.

The combined EDDC purpose built offices presently on the site are believed to have an Display Energy Certificate rating of  ‘C’.

The decision to be taken by the Council’s Development Management Committee (DMC) this week, carries a heavy responsibility.

The DMC can’t fail to be embarrassed by their own Council’s latest defiance of the Information Commissioner’s ruling that unless certain Knowle documents are released, it is impossible for the public to see whether  relocation is justified. A tricky position for the DMC, as much of the relocation project hangs on this planning application being approved.

A more direct problem is that this PegasusLife planning application appears to involve considerable departure from East Devon’s own Local Plan. For examples, see http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/knowle-relocation-project-setting-of.html

Which begs the question, “What is the point of a Local Plan?”  and how seriously should it be taken by the Council responsible for drawing it up?