Why permission has been granted for Sidford Business Park

Controversial plans have been approved on appeal today to build a business park between Sidford and Sidbury.

According to planning inspector L Fleming the development is too important to the area's employment needs and the planned flood prevention works will benefit surrounding communities.

The controversial application for Sidford Business Park was 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.

Here's what Planning Inspector L Fleming concluded in his decision report, issued today:

"The proposed development would help meet the significant employment needs of the area. The drainage and flood attenuation measures would reduce the risk of surface water flooding elsewhere. The proposal would also contribute towards a section of the Sidmouth to Sidford Cycle route. These are significant benefits that outweigh the effects and inconvenience of the increase in HGV traffic in the area.

"Thus, on balance, having had regard to all other matters raised the proposal would accord with the development plan and there are no other material considerations which lead me to make my decision other than in accordance with the development plan. The appeal should therefore be allowed."

Here is the official decision statement: "The appeal is allowed and outline planning permission is granted for outline application (with scale and appearance reserved) for the change of use of agricultural land to employment land (B1, B8 and D1 uses) to provide 8,445sqm of new floorspace, new highway access, cycle and footway, improvements to flood attenuation, building layout and road layout, new hedgerow planting and associated infrastructure at Employment Site, Two Bridges Road, Sidford, EX10 9QR, in accordance with the terms of the application, 8/1094/MOUT, dated 9 May 2018, subject to the conditions set out in the schedule attached to this decision."