Save Our Sidmouth

Category Archives: SOS


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Dr Brian May signs SOS petition

Brian May's signature on the SOS petition

Astrophysicist and rock guitarist, Dr Brian May, added his name to the Save Our Sidmouth petition, making the point that Observatories can’t fully function without Dark Skies. On his first visit to the Norman Lockyer Observatory in 1960, that was already a problem. But the 12 acre business park (on AONB land at Sidford) in EDDC’s proposed Local Development Plan, would add another area of light pollution, affecting the NLO’s increasingly important work.

At the Observatory’s Centenary Celebration on 20th May this year, Dr May officially opened the splendid new Connaught Dome, which was funded by local sponsors including the Town Council, to house the Newtonian reflector telescope, donated by NLO Chairman, David Strange. Yet thirty years ago , the NLO site risked being sold to developers!

Owners of the land since 1984, EDDC have made the far-sighted decision to support the Observatory, for the public good, and the importance of that legacy is clear.

If you consider that existing natural resources (e.g. agricultural land, and dark skies) are vital assets now and for future generations, please post your comments on http://www.saveoursidmouth.com


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Donating to the Save Our Sidmouth Appeal

Donations are coming in by every post to the Save Our Sidmouth appeal. The Sid Vale Association is matching all money donated and where donors are choosing to Gift Aid SVA are matching that, too.

Every £10, with SVA match funding becomes £20; if the donation is Gift Aided, a £100 donation is worth £250!

Please consider making a donation now!

We are fighting the EDDC plans to build an industrial estate on 12 acres of farmland north of Sidford, to build houses on the wonderful grounds of Knowle, and demolish the Drill Hall to create a temporary car park. We have engaged a planning consultant, and the money for this is rolling in.

To date £9,500 has been donated to the campaign. With the SVA matching these donations this brings the fund total to £19,000.

If we don’t fight this now, we might as well say goodbye to the green fields. Developers already own many acres of the land around Sidmouth, and if the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is not defended by EDDC, more and more farmland will be built on; the green wedge between Sidford and Sidbury is in danger of disappearing. We are adamant that the Knowle gardens and the Drill Hall belong to the people of Sidmouth, and are not free to be sold off.

Alan Darrant, Chair, Sid Vale Association 19/09/2012


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No more concrete!

There was a river running down Woolbrook Rd as the drain covers were lifted by the excessive rain. The road was closed by the police and traffic diverted. Apparently this is the third time this year this has happened.

If global warming is going to lead to more extreme weather events, such as heavy bursts of intense rain, its a strong argument for not concreting over any more of Sidmouth!

Les Cotton