A retired Vet and specialist in Deer Management, Councillor Godbeer was first elected to East Devon District Council, to represent Coly Valley, in 2007.  A member of Axminster Town Council for 16 years, and recently a Portfolio holder for Economy, he was described on Wednesday as ” a man of culture and a gentleman” and with  “a love of his community, his family, and of animals.”

Outgoing Chair, Councillor Peter Halse, was congratulated on initiating the very successful project  in Honiton by a local sculptor. He spoke of his own enjoyment of the role as EDDC Chair, noting more than a few “times of excitement here in this room”. He hoped in future that his colleagues would be seen to be “working not for themselves but for the Council”.

More on this meeting to follow.

A new revised application has been submitted for an out-of-town veterinary centre at Sidford, on land next to the garden centre (Ref. OAP 13/0715/OUT). 

The  Sid Vale Association, has sent a formal objection, as follows:    SVA objection re garden_centre on Sidford AONB__17.5.13

SOS,  too,  are concerned about the precedent this would set for further developments on Sidford’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, if the plans are accepted.  Out of town centres inevitably mean increased car use and  associated traffic flow problems. In this particular case, public transport is not an easy option, as the approach to the  site proposed for the vets’ practice is near a bend in the road with no pavement, and with a steep slope up to the garden centre car park which it would share.

What possible alternative sites are there within the town boundary, which would be more convenient for sick animals and their owners (particularly pet-owners without cars)?   See http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com today, for suggestions.