25 July 2012 - East Devon District Council

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Apologies Councillors: Roger Boote Peter Bowden Geoff Pook Philip Skinner Brenda Taylor Steve Wragg Officers: Mark Williams Rachel Pocock 19 Meeting of the Council, 25 July 2012 Honorary Aldermen: Vivienne Ash John Glanvill Bernard Hughes Bob Peachey Margaret Rogers Dr Waterworth The Chairman introduced the Reverend Dennis Gurney from the Sidmouth Church of England Ministry and invited him to say a prayer. The meeting then started at 6.30 pm and ended at 9.46 pm. *21 Public question time The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and invited their questions. Richard Thurlow, Chairman of Save Our Sidmouth raised concerns about the proposed allocation of employment land north of Sidford within the draft Local Plan and the proposed relocation of the Council offices from Knowle. He asked Members to take into account the 2400 signature petition submitted to the Special Development Management Committee on 17 July 2012 and to consider whether the proposed increase in employment land was realistic; he believed the allocation was based on flawed assumptions. He reminded Councillors that development in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty could only be agreed in exceptional circumstances. He asked Council to look to extend the Alexandria Industrial Estate as a possible alternative to the Sidford proposal. Barry Curwen of Sidmouth also spoke of strong opposition to the Sidford employment land proposal in the draft Local Plan and said that the petition signed by all sectors of the community reflected the extent of local objection. He referred to the Special Development Management Committee when local Ward Members not on the Committee had not been allowed to contribute to the debate. He questioned the inclusion of the development land at Sidford which he felt was based on lack of local knowledge of the site. The Chairman invited Councillor Mark Williamson, Chairman of Development Management to respond to the issues raised. Councillor Williamson reminded the speakers that the Plan was still in the consultation stage. Consultation and preparation had commenced in June 2008 and a further 6 week consultation period would encourage further public response. This would be followed by a robust assessment of policies and proposals. The inclusion of the Sidford site complied with the Council‟s strategy of one house: one job. Any proposed development within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be subjected to a rigorous environmental impact assessment.
*21 Public question time (continued) 20 Meeting of the Council, 25 July 2012 Lindsay Smallman, (representing M.J. Gleeson), made reference to the Heathfield Manor site in Honiton which the Development Management Committee at its Special Meeting on 17 July 2012 had recommended not to be allocated for housing allocation due to its poor access and siting within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. She advised that this was the Town Council‟s preferred site and asked for any decision against the site to be delayed for consultation. She believed that the planning issues could be addressed through a master-plan. Councillor David Foster, Mayor of Honiton added that Honiton had not been properly represented at the Special Meeting; he felt that the decision had been made with insufficient local input. He asked the Council to take into account local feeling and knowledge and to give the Town Council the opportunity to consider the proposed changes to the Plan. The Chairman invited the Chairman of Development Management to respond. Councillor Williamson recognised the particular topographical problems in Honiton which constrained development. He advised that Natural England opposed the development of the Heathfield Manor site and thought it unlikely that an exception to development within the AONB would be approved by Government. Although development to the east would be preferable to avoid elongating Honiton further, the Council could only consider land for development that was deliverable. Sandra Semple, Seaton resident referred to the motion at Agenda item 10 in respect of the East Devon Business Forum. She accused members of the Forum of „fettering their discretion‟ and said that they should not be allowed to take part in decisions on planning applications, plan making or site allocation. She referred to the Forum as a lobby group who should not be allowed to influence Council policy. The Chairman responded by advising that the Business Forum would be debated later on the agenda and that she should refer concerns to the Council‟s Monitoring Officer. Emily McIvor, Member of the Green Party, said that economic activity could be environmentally benign and even beneficial; the Local Plan should reflect this. She felt that support should be given to small and micro business in the area. She saw untapped potential for Green Tourism. She referred to the unpredictability of the future including food provision, climate change and economic problems and said that the Local Plan should reflect and help address this uncertainty. Henry Gent, Member of the Green Party, said that the Local Plan needed to recognise the implications of climate change and to take steps to reduce its impact. Concerns expressed by Devon County Council and the Environment Agency needed to be fully considered, particularly in respect of further development on flood plains. In response, Councillor Andrew Moulding, Portfolio Holder – Strategic Development and Partnerships confirmed that climate change had been properly considered with the Local Plan process. He advised that planning took into account changing circumstance and gave the example of the Exmouth Master Plan. This would be considered in detail throughout its delivery together with Environment Agency advice in respect of the flood plain.
Page 1: EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL Minutes
Page 5 and 6: *23 Chairman/Leader notices/announc
Page 7 and 8: *26 Minutes of Cabinet and Committe
Page 9 and 10: *27 Motion 1 - Housing and strategi
Page 11: 28 Meeting of the Council, 25 July

25 July 2012 - East Devon District Council

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