Housing questions raised at Sidmouth Vision meeting

HOUSING developments in Sidmouth aroused interesting and at times frustrating debate at a public meeting organised by the Vision Group for Sidmouth.

HOUSING developments in Sidmouth aroused interesting and at times frustrating debate at a public meeting organised by the Vision Group for Sidmouth.

Around 50 attended the meeting, which followed reports of planned housing developments in the Stowford area, to express their feelings on their future effects on the town.

Vision Group web editor Rita Hedley said: "It became rapidly clear the audience was looking for more hard facts and detailed information regarding the developments."

Questions posed included who are the houses for? How will they be allocated and will Sidmouth young people be at the top of the list?

Will Woolbrook become too densely developed? Where will children be able to play? Transport and infrastructure needs and whether key workers would get priority.

They also wanted to know if the houses would remain affordable and renewable energy provision.

The Vision Group considered housing at a public meeting in September. With so much interest it felt issues should be discussed more fully.

Rita said: "By far the top concern was what the developments would do to traffic and transport, along with other services.

"AONB and nature issues were a worry, and members of the audience expressed concerns about their own growing children's ability to live in the community in future.

"Housing provision for elderly residents wishing to downsize also came up."

Residents split into small groups to discuss various topics and their concerns and suggestions will be passed to EDDC.

Vision Group secretary Jeremy Woodward said: "The next step will be to ask the District Council for clarification on these and other related issues.