SIR - I refer to my letter of June 29, 2012 warning of the flood risk to Sidmouth due to the increased frequency of heavy rainfall due to the climate changing. Flooding is no longer a 1 in 100 year event.
Surely there can now be no doubt that this is a permanent change to our climate as CO2 levels continue to rise unchecked. We must, therefore, plan accordingly.
For Sidmouth this means no more hard landscaping, whether it is gardens, houses, industrial estates or flats.
It means more lawns, more trees and hedges, returning arable fields to pasture, clearing ditches, new storm drains and holding tanks, making sure drain covers are not blocked with leaves (everyone can help with this).
‘Jobs’ is always the justification for development, but profit is the real motive, as many jobs can be created in saving the environment as in destroying it.
This recent flooding must finally be the end of ALL East Devon District Council plans for the development of Sidmouth.
Les Cotton
Bennetts Hill, Sidmouth
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here