SOS recruit consultant top help fight planning blueprint
SAVE Our Sidmouth (SOS) leaders have approached a specialist planning and environmental consultant to act on their behalf in a fight over a controversial future vision for the Sid Valley.
Campaigners say they’ve asked Charlie Hopkins to represent them during the next stages of East Devon District Council’s Local Plan process.
Proposals for a 13-acre employment site are the biggest bone of contention in the blueprint.
The council has decided to proceed with the proposals in the face of a petition signed by thousands and objections from major Sidmouth organisations, the town council and district ward members.
SOS chairman Richard Thurlow said: “Given the Government’s support for localism, where is the evidence for it applying here?
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“We intend to fight this to our greatest extent, as the proposals will blight our town forever.
“Charlie is a very experienced planning consultant who has acted in many cases for objectors to local authority proposals, and who has an excellent record. We’re glad that he is on our side.”
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Fighting the proposals will cost SOS thousands of pounds. The Sid Vale Association is supporting the cost of this on a matched funds basis and campaigners have asked for contributions from the public.
SOS can be contacted by email at info@sidvaleassociation.org.uk