East Devon Alliance | Save Our Sidmouth

January 18, 2017
by sidmouthsid 2 Comments

Council chambers compared (continued) ..Would seating capacity be fit for purpose at proposed new Honiton HQ?

East Devon District Council plans to replace the existing capacious Council Chamber at Knowle, Sidmouth, with two smaller ones, at Exmouth in a renovated old Town Hall, and at Honiton Heathpark, respectively.

Following a close look at the seating provision in the proposed Exmouth Chamber (https://saveoursidmouth.com/2017/01/13/council-chambers-compared/ ) , here is a bird’s eye view of the approved plans for Honiton:

There are apparently 49 seats available for councillors and officers in the new HQ plans.
Would the remaining councillors therefore sit in the front row with their backs to the public?
Is it reasonable to expect that a purpose built £11m chamber would be able to accommodate a full council meeting?

See also https://saveoursidmouth.com/2016/12/31/turning-our-backs-on-2016-raising-a-glass-to-the-new-year/

January 13, 2017
by sidmouthsid 2 Comments

Council Chambers compared

Wandering off the point when considering the major planning application by PegasusLife (DMC, 6 Dec 2016) , Exmouth Cllr Mark Williamson made reference to a joke that employees could get lost in the present Council offices at Knowle.

Below is a projection of the plans for EDDC’s new Council offices in the proposed refurbishment of Exmouth Town Hall. It highlights the long and winding route to the council chamber, through 3 or so sets of fire doors (assuming the building meets the fire regulations).

exmouthrefurb5

The seating arrangements are very different from those in the Knowle Council Chamber, where councillors largely have their backs to the public gallery (See photo below, from https://saveoursidmouth.com/2016/12/31/turning-our-backs-on-2016-raising-a-glass-to-the-new-year/ ) .

fullsizerender