A Government planning inspector is set to deliver his verdict on East Devon District Council’s controversial Local Plan next week.

Anthony Thickett is closely scrutinising the blueprint to ensure proposals are supported by evidence and comply with national regulations.

He led a month-long public examination, hearing representations on Sidmouth and other towns, and on topics ranging from employment to green space preservation.

Residents, businesses and developers all grasped the opportunity to challenge housing and employment land allocations, such as plans for a 12-acre job site at Sidford and to develop Knowle when East Devon District Council relocates its HQ.

Attempts were made across the district to include new sites and remove others from the influential building blueprint, which will be in force until 2026.

Sidmouth’s section seeks to preserve its historic grandeur and its ‘outstanding natural environment’, while providing for new employment sites and accommodating another 150 homes.

Mr Thickett intends to write to the council with his initial response by Monday (March 31).