A planning application for a 12-acre business park between Sidford and Sidbury is expected in the spring, according to the district council.
The Herald reported last week that a long-awaited cycle link between the villages had been put on hold to allow ‘further dialogue’ between Devon County Council and the park’s applicant.
County Hall’s decision came after a government inspector controversially ruled that the employment land allocation must be included in East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Local Plan.
An EDDC spokeswoman told the Herald this week: “We anticipate receiving an application [for the business park] in spring 2016.
“However, even if an application were to be successful, we don’t know when work would commence on site.”
Designs for Devon County Council’s 900-metre cycle route and footpath showed it running from Sidford to Sidbury alongside the A375 – starting in an area allocated for development.
It agreed to withdraw its planning application to allow further dialogue with the business park applicant about what alignment changes might be needed.
The delay will not affect a scheme linking Byes Lane and Laundry Lane as this does not require planning permission. Funding is in place for work to start in the next financial year.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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