The local press have picked up the story, from this press release:

Local author and photographer, Peter Nasmyth, has hit back at accusations that his west-view photomontage of the proposed PegasusLife Knowle development was inaccurate and ‘cannot reasonably be afforded any weight in consideration’ by the Development Management Committee (6th December).

He claims that PegasusLife’s Townscape and Visual Impact Statement (TVIS) is heavily ‘one sided,’ omitting any of Sidmouth’s west views of the development beyond Knowle Drive itself (P1 in the TVIS) – which is why he set out to supply one.
He questions why PegasusLife’s 16th November TVIS Addendum on the EDDC Planning Documents page (which makes the above accusation) did not offer any alternative to his photomontage nor supply any western view comparable to the one from the east (P5 in the TVIS, from Salcombe Hill).
He strongly refutes the claim that his photo is ‘not a viewpoint that is representative of the public visual experience,’ saying the new development will in fact be widely visible from western Sidmouth, from numerous homes, public places and the golf course. He challenges PegasusLife to prove their assertion.
He says he had the building heights and approximate massing in his photomontage checked by a local architect, then simply cut and pasted the drawings supplied in August’s 16/0872/MFUL proposal, because nothing else was available.
He suggests that until PegasusLife provide a Townscape and Visual Impact Statement covering all the views and perspectives on this large development, (2.1 times the size recommended in the Local Plan), the DMC should not be asked to make a fair and accurate assessment of the proposal’s worthiness for Sidmouth.

Above is Peter Nasmyth’s photomontage and to date, only west-side view of the development yet offered to the public.

Although this is a morning meeting when most people will be at work, high public attendance is expected to witness on what grounds DMC considers this most controversial planning application.

EDDC now allows only five speakers for, and five against, such a planning application. They specify that ‘To speak on an application at Development Management Committee you must have submitted written documents during the consultation stage of the application. Please note that any representations received during the consultation stage will have been summarised and addressed in the Planning Officer’s report, and therefore the Committee members will be aware of the points raised.
You can register your wish to speak on an application from 10am next Monday up until 12 noon on the Thursday before the meeting, by leaving a message on 01395 517525 or emailing planningpublicspeaking@eastdevon.gov.uk including the following details:
 name
 telephone number
 the reference number at the top of the email/letter sent to you  the application number/address
 whether you wish to speak in support or against the application  if you agree to your details being published on the website’

Full details here: ufm41