A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build eleven industrial workshops on Sidmouth’s outskirts has been given the go-ahead, despite objections from Tipton St John residents.
Planning chiefs have granted planning permission to the owners of Stonehill Quarry in Lancercombe to create units which will be used for small scale manufacturing, light fabrication, assembly and general storage associated with local business outlets.
Workshops can now be erected, and a new yard area, parking space, turning provision and site drainage created.
Tipton’s Residents Association had voiced traffic fears for the road linking Sidmouth’s Bowd to Ottery St Mary.
They also felt the development would be “very obtrusive” to householders in Otter Close, and held further drainage, smell and noise fears.
Ottery St Mary Town Council also objected to the bid. Its planning committee members wanted to support local employment and small businesses, but feared proposals featured too many units which could create excess noise. They also held water run-off and traffic concerns.
East Devon District Council planning experts granted the project planning permission. Work must be started within three years.
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