A RETIREMENT home's plan for an extension, to meet the needs of the rising number of elderly people in Sidmouth, has been refused. Malden retirement home, in Sidford Road, saw plans to accommodate the increasing population of elderly people turned down by

A RETIREMENT home's plan for an extension, to meet the needs of the rising number of elderly people in Sidmouth, has been refused. Malden retirement home, in Sidford Road, saw plans to accommodate the increasing population of elderly people turned down by East Devon District Council. The council's development control committee found the home's driveway was too narrow to allow for the expected increase in cars or ambulance vehicles. The plan was to demolish the outbuildings and erect a two-storey extension, housing at least nine more residents. Ward member Councillor Graham Troman said: "It's a house with a drive. "I don't think the extra parking will be sufficient - there is no access for ambulances." The application saw six objections including loss of privacy and overdevelopment of the site