Big Knowle fiasco

So, East Devon District Council is whinging that the application to register the Knowle as a town green has delayed their exodus from Sidmouth and cost them money (Sidmouth Herald, July 4).

What a cheek! The application to register the Knowle as a town green, which was rejected on a legal technicality, was only submitted by local residents as a response to the council’s planning application to build houses on the Knowle Park and Gardens, and to sell the land to developers. As your readers will be aware, the council eventually refused their own planning application which they have admitted cost them at least £113k. When it comes to relocation, East Devon District Council appears to have a bottomless pot of our money to throw away.

Incidentally, readers may be interested to read the report of the inspector who held a public hearing into the town green application in April. The difference between the way in which the inspector complimented the members of the Knowle Residents’ Association who gave evidence and the cursory way in which the inspector dismissed the council’s evidence is glaringly obvious.

The inspector’s report can be read on the Save our Sidmouth website: www.saveoursidmouth.com

Kelvin Dent

Vice-Chair, Knowle Residents’ Association.