This week’s Full Council meeting at Knowle, starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday 9th April. Voting on Cllr Bloxham’s suggestions for changes to public speaking rules, will be of special concern to press and public. Agenda here: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/09042014_council_agenda.pdf
Footpaths at the Knowle
Devon County Council, the Highways Authority, have made a modification order to include 3 lengths of footpath at the Knowle onto the Definitive Footpaths Map. This will finally confirm them as public footpaths.
This is the latest stage in a long saga to try to get footpaths at the Knowle recognised as public footpaths. It follows an application by local residents in May 2012, following which EDDC suddenly erected notices to say that they had no intention to dedicate any rights of way. EDDC objected to the application by the local residents and the application was rejected by Devon County Council. However, the Residents appealed to an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State who found that there was evidence that the public had been using the footpaths. The Inspector directed Devon County Council to make a modification order to include the footpaths (other than those on the public open space which the public already have a right to use) onto the Definitive Footpaths Map. This is the order which Devon County Council have now made and advertised.
There is, however, a right to object and we wait to see whether EDDC will continue to fight the local residents and submit an objection. Any representations or objections have to be sent to Devon County Council by 9th May. (Please see public notices on site or in the Sidmouth Herald for full details).
Note on the Town Green Inquiry
In July 2012, the Knowle Residents Association submitted an application to Devon County Council to register the land at the Knowle as a Town or Village Green. The application was supported by a number of evidence forms from local residents who confirmed that they had used the land for a number of years for lawful sports and pastimes.
EDDC objected to the application. Devon County Council have appointed an Inspector to make recommendations to them on the application.
The Inspector has convened a one-day public inquiry on 10th April at the Knowle. The purpose of the inquiry is to deal with issues relating to the status of the land, the byelaws and whether a full public inquiry should be held in due course.
Further details are available in the public notices on site and in the Sidmouth Herald.
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