Emily McIvor, policy co-ordinator for the East Devon Green Pary
East Devon Green Party (EDGP) has condemned the decision of East Devon Conservative Party councillors to press ahead with their draft of the Local Plan, even though it contains more industrial estates than is necessary or wanted.
Emily McIvor of the Green Party said: “In their manifesto for the election campaign in 2011 the Tories said they would ‘radically reduce housing targets’ and that they would not concrete over green field sites in East Devon.
“But since they made those promises the housing allocations have been reduced only slightly, they have allowed in a huge concrete and tarmac warehouse and lorry complex on a site that was supposed to be for rail freight, and added industrial estates like the one proposed at Sidford.”
The Greens have also criticized the Tories because they have failed to conform to their duty to take into account the views of the neighbouring authority, Dorset County Council, who criticized the over-allocation of industrial estates, and the likely deterioration in air quality for the residents who live near the commuting roads.
The East Devon Green Party has also condemned the casual attitude of East Devon District Council (EDDC) to climate change, especially flood risk.
At the meeting of EDDC on Wednesday, July 25 Green Party spokesperson Henry Gent asked why the Council were about to adopt a Plan which ignores the concerns of the Environment Agency in their response to the Exmouth Masterplan.
Henry Gent said: “The home owners on the coastal floodplain at Exmouth are the ones who will suffer as a result of the council’s decision to press ahead despite the warning from the Environment Agency. The response of the Environment Agency to the Masterplan has been buried, not even published, let alone taken into account.”
Honiton Green Councillor Sharon Pavey added: “The last six-week consultation period is coming up soon and this is everyone’s opportunity to have their say. If you do not want houses building in your local Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty go online and make a comment.
“If you think that not enough consideration has been made about how the roads in your area are going to cope with hundreds more cars for all these new homes then tell East Devon. This is YOUR local plan, make sure you have your say.”
