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ITV West Country report on today’s ‘Black Day for the Countryside’ march in Feniton.

News of the first event organised by the new pressure-group, East Devon Alliance, is here: http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/

Sidmouth was well-represented amongst the people of all ages who joined the march. As well as the large contingent from Feniton itself, protesters came from places across East Devon, including Exmouth, Colyton, Ottery St Mary, and Honiton.
Nicky King of Friends of Elizabeth Hall, Exmouth, has sent this summary:
On the agenda were calls for the current proposed developments in Feniton to be halted pending the investigation of the now Ex Conservative EDDC Councillor for Feniton, Mr Graham Brown. And in the light of said revelations, a call for our Members of Parliament to lobby central government to postpone the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework due to be rolled out next week.
Despite the weather, there was a really good turn out and the Friends would like to thank all those who attended and to the EDA and the Feniton Futures team for all of their hard work in putting together such an enjoyable and well organised march
More details can be found at  http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com


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REMINDER: Whatever the weather, take time to mourn the sad loss of East Devon’s most precious asset…. Join the Saturday morning Mass March at Feniton this weekend (23/03)

This latest Telegraph ‘sting’ shows what the Feniton march is all about:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/9947318/Planning-ministers-war-on-the-countryside.html 

 Organisers East Devon Alliance urgently invite you to the ‘Black Day for the Countryside’ protest, THIS SATURDAY MORNING !     feniton-march-poster 23.03.13 

Marchers will be wearing black mourning clothes and carrying black balloons and ribbons. Some will have Brown Envelopes and other banners. Timeline for EDA march in Feniton

EDA is calling for the postponement of the  deadline for the National Planning Policy Framework  (NPPF.. next Wednesday 27 March) , until Local Authorities have their 5-year Land Supply Plan in place.

Nick Boles has close links with East Devon ( and particularly with Talaton village, just two miles or so  from Feniton). This recent report from another national newspaper has details:  http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/370412/Housing-land-grab-minister-warned-Don-t-come-home


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EDDC action on the Graham Brown affair

East Devon District Council have today clarified what is being done in the case of the Councillor who resigned last week, after allegations of impropriety.

This press release can be found at :  http://www.eastdevongov.uk

DEVON & Cornwall Police is looking into the issue surrounding an East Devon District Councillor who was filmed by a national newspaper apparently suggesting he could influence the planning process.

Former Councillor Graham Brown, who represented the Feniton and Buckerell Ward, has since resigned from the Council but denies any wrongdoing.

The Council’s Monitoring Officer contacted Police Headquarters at Middlemoor shortly after the matter was reported in the Daily Telegraph and was advised that the issue should be reported direct to Action Fraud, an agency appointed by the Home Office to make early enquiries before involving local officers.

The matter was referred to Action Fraud by telephone under the Bribery Act 2010 and EDDC’s own policy on Fraud, Theft and Anti-Corruption, with representatives promising to look in to the matter and get back to the council with updates.

Action Fraud has now referred the matter to the Head of the National Fraud Authority. Meanwhile, EDDC understands that a decision has now been taken by Devon & Cornwall Police to look into the matter.