The campaign to stop the creation of Sidford Business Park has shifted focus after the UK's Planning Inspectorate upheld an appeal by developers to build the park.

Despite the decision some campaigners have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government asking that the decision be "called in".

The controversial application for Sidford Business Park was initially turned down by planning authority, East Devon District Council, due to concerns about public safety and the increased traffic it could bring to the area.

A planning appeal was submitted in February and a three day public inquiry was held in July this year. In August the planning inspector upheld the appeal, approving an outline plan to build on the site.

This has not stopped campaigners but their focus has shifted. Nub News contacted the group to find out the latest.

A spokesperson for the Say No To Sidford Business Park campaign group said: "The campaign has changed its focus as a result of the planning inspector's decision, it is now about mitigating the worst effects of future use of the site on residents and the local area.

"As far as we are aware the process on the outline application has come to an end, that issue is finished.

"Now we have to wait until we receive the detailed planning application. Our job now is to mitigate what we can.

"We've got people living on two sides of the site, the A375 and Sid Vale Close, the first thing we need to do is mitigate what we can for them."

Earlier this month the county councillor for the area, Stuart Hughes, announced his intention to secure a weight restriction on the A375 at Sidbury through to the traffic lights at Sidford Cross.

Councillor Hughes has requested the introduction of a 7.5 tonne limit on the A375, which would be signed from Honiton and Putts Corner to the north and at Sidford Cross to the south at the A375 junction to the A3052 near the Rising Sun.

If implemented, all HGV's over 7.5 tonnes including 40 tonne HGV's using the A375 travelling to Sidmouth would need to take a signed diversion route, possibly at Daisymount. It would not however stop such vehicles from deliveries within the weight limit restriction.

Councillor Hughes said: "There has been considerable concerns expressed by the local residents and especially those who live adjacent to the highway of both Sidbury and School Street Sidford over the increase in HGV's using the A375 route through their communities and further increases on the unsuitable sections of highway with narrow pinch points was a reason the County Council objected to the application for the B8 Distribution element of the Business Park application on the outskirts of Sidford."

Campaigners have welcomed Mr Hughes' intervention, the spokesperson added: "Stuart Hughes has been looking at ways to introduce weight restrictions on the A375 that would beneficially affect the whole area.

"If we can disgorge the HGVs using the A375 as a cut through, it will reduce the impact of HGVs on the area."

At least one Sidford resident has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government asking that the decision be "called in". In other words, they have asked the Secretary of State to review the decision.

To find out more about councillor Hughes' weight restriction proposals, click the red button below.