‘Change the Local Plan for Sidmouth,’ says resident
It is good that the proposed business park at Two Bridges has been rejected. However, the reasons the application failed are not matters of detail that can be improved, but fundamental to any such development.
The roads from Sidford Cross up through Sidbury are just not suitable for additional business traffic and any development will be glaringly obtrusive from all the surrounding hills of this AONB, however well ‘landscaped’.
As Councillor Rixson said, why this site was designated in the Local Plan in the first place is incomprehensible, particularly when there is plenty of land elsewhere in the AONB more suitable for employment use. For example: the flat and featureless land south of the A3052 opposite the existing Kingsdown Business Park, or between the road and Trow Hill lane, or some of The Donkey Sanctuary’s dreary fields next to the road. No doubt there are others. Any of these would give good access to the main road, a good bus route, with no need for traffic from Honiton or the A30 trailing through Sidbury. They would be overlooked by no-one, require minimal work to mitigate flood risk – and would disturb fewer bats.
So change the Local Plan, it should guide development in the interests of the community as a whole, not landowners.
Martin Ward
Via email
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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