'Ignored' Ottery supermarket report cost �3.5k
AN ignored independent report, commissioned with public money to investigate Tesco and Sainsbury s Ottery plans, cost tax-payers �3,642. The dossier has been branded a waste of money amid claims East Devon District Council (EDDC) decision-makers did
AN "ignored" independent report, commissioned with public money to investigate Tesco and Sainsbury's Ottery plans, cost tax-payers �3,642.
The dossier has been branded a "waste of money" amid claims East Devon District Council (EDDC) decision-makers didn't heed expert advice when they granted Sainsbury's permission to build a 20,000sq ft Hind Street store.
Councillor Roger Giles revealed the cost and asked: "What was the point of commissioning the survey in the first place?"
The costly report, compiled by experts GVAGrimley, cast doubt over the suitability of both supermarkets plans.
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It advised Sainsbury's Hind Street location was the "preferable" site for an Ottery supermarket, but warned the scale of the proposed store should be reduced.
EDDC officers followed suit, recommending a scaled-down Sainsbury's for approval.
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Just two votes separated development management committee members' decision to give a larger store the nod instead of a smaller outlet.
"I regret EDDC commissioned the survey and spent that money," said Cllr Giles. "It gave a detailed report that established the damage of such a large store to Ottery.
"The majority of members ignored the report and went for a decision against expert officers' advice.
