Save Our Sidmouth

Category Archives: East Devon Alliance


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Knowle:Disappointment in councillors

This letter published in last week’s Sidmouth Herald, sums up the situation as many in SOS see it:

‘Dear Sir,
Many of your readers will have been following the sorry saga that is the Knowle relocation project.
What makes it particularly sorry is how very few Councillors have wanted to challenge the political leadership at EDDC in its blind determination to forge ahead regardless.
And most of this lack of challenge seems to be because of party loyalty.
Yes, we can be grateful for the political independence of the EDDC’s planning committee – when, two years ago, they really probed and finally rejected the last planning application for Knowle.
And yet, whilst it is commendable to see such impartiality at work in the planning committee, it has been pretty disheartening to see how the other parts of the District Council have been wracked by partisan politics over the years.
There has been the general failure to scrutinise from the so-called Scrutiny Committee. At its last meeting, it seemed more than happy to rubber-stamp the latest report commissioned by – and so determined by – the EDDC political leadership.
And at last week’s meeting of the full Council, there was the expected general collapse of will from our Councillors who were content to wave through the sale of Knowle – again at the behest of the political leadership.
Some Sidmouth Councillors did indeed speak out and vote against this decision to sell. But it must not be forgotten that at last December’s full Council meeting, all of our Sidmouth Councillors voted against the proposal to postpone the sale until after the elections.
And all because loyalty to party seems to come first.
How disappointing.
Regards,
Jeremy Woodward, Sidmouth’


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APPLICATION TO LIST KNOWLE PARK AS ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE

This speech by Mike Temple, was made at last night’s Extra Ordinary Council meeting on relocation (Weds 25 March)

Chairman, Members,

I speak on behalf of the Knowle Residents’ Association.

Yesterday afternoon, we delivered to EDDC reception an application to register Knowle Park as an Asset of Community Value.

The Knowle Residents’ Association was urged to take this step following extensive discussions only last Thursday 19th March, with lawyers from the national conservation group SAVE Britain’s Heritage.

This group has considerable experience in such cases, and has pursued very successfully over the years the listing of assets which would otherwise be damaged or destroyed.

The registration of the Knowle Park in its entirety as an Asset of Community Value would protect a much-valued amenity from the ravages of development.

Earlier this month, EDDC’s Cabinet recommended that this Council give away about 85% of the Knowle parkland to the Sidmouth Town Council – which is an extraordinary admission, namely that the District Council is prepared to donate an asset of community value to the local town’s authority.

The registration of the whole of the Knowle parkland as an Asset of Community Value would mean that this greatly valued historic amenity would indeed be donated to the local community.

Should EDDC reject this application, the Knowle Residents Association will appeal, and will pursue with determination the registration of all of the parkland at Knowle.

We urge you to take note of this decision.

Thank you.


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Radio Devon interviews SOS Chair, and EDDC Deputy Leader, about Knowle sale decision

Richard Thurlow, for Save Our Sidmouth, and Cllr Andrew Moulding were on Radio Devon’s early morning news today, following EDDC’s vote to go ahead with their chameleon-like and highly unpopular office relocation project.

The implications of last night’s decision are many, including what happens to Knowle parkland. One major problem is who will have responsibility for the remaining parkland if the Knowle buildings and terraces are sold off. Another is that the developers, Pegasus Life Ltd, now have the upper hand in determining the actual sale price, a consequence of Councillors having approved the sale before the Heads of Terms of the contract have been agreed.