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?

“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.”

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