Save Our Sidmouth

Category Archives: Drill Hall


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Port Royal Developments

Part of SOS, the Vision Group for Sidmouth, has long been advocating community engagement for shaping the future of the eastern end of Sidmouth seafront. The aim would not be redevelopment (it is Environment Agency- rated Flood Zone 3)  ), but regeneration of this run-down area as a marine-focussed contribution to the life of the town. 

The latest report from the Port Royal Steering Group (PRSG), opens as follows:

‘At a brief positive meeting on Monday 25 March between STC Chair , Stuart Hughes, STC  Chair-elect, John Hollick, Town Cler, Chris Holland, and PRSG Secretary, Robert Crick, it was agreed that:

Sidmouth Town Council  will take the lead in engaging EDDC to develop positive plans on Port Royal using the PRSG document as a starting point’
The full report and the PRSG document can be found at http://www.visionforsidmouth.org


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Port Royal, as in revised Local Plan, Nov 2012

To compare aerial views of Port Royal, click on  PRHamPlan

Are EDDC attempting another land grab?

From the historic maps, it seems clear that the Sailing club, Drill Hall, WCs and Fishing area are all part of the Ham, with the freehold belonging to Sidmouth residents.

Rather than holiday apartments, retention of this site maybe the only way of maintaining the historic connection with the sea.

Dates of Public Meetings to discuss the revised Local Plan, will be posted shortly on this website.


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Drill Hall – Deadline for comments and objections 12 November

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