SOS is busily working on its official response to EDDC’s changes to the Local Plan.

Meanwhile,  the Knowle Residents’ Association has offered guidelines (copied below, for your information) , which may prove helpful for individuals wishing to comment:

Possible loss of valuable parkland in Sidmouth, and AONB countryside in Sidford

1.Deadline for comment is noon, Monday 7th October.

2. E-mail localplan@easdevon.gov.uk or write to Planning Policy, EDDC, Knowle, Sidmouth EX10 8HL, quoting reference point 149 for Knowle issues, and 67 for Sidford.

3. Some of the issues at Knowle:

-intended and opposed arbitrary seizure of about 5,500 sq metres of public recreational land (e.g. fine terraced lawns with splendid prospect) for luxury homes

-planned destruction of historic buildings and modern(1978-83)  purpose-built offices,  would mean serious loss of public amenities; loss of approx 100 jobs, and of contracts.

-the remains of  one of Devon’s finest tranquil gardens will be looked down on intrusively by high-rise flats, etc.

And at Sidford:

-change to permit some retail use for 12-acre industrial site (in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) floodplain and green wedge between Sidford and Sidbury) would seriously damage Sidmouth’s town centre economy

-increased traffic congestion on A3052, especially at  Sidford Cross, would, equally,  harm Sid Valley’s lifeblood tourist industry.