YOU say....!

And another little piece of info that some of you may not have been aware of. Have fun and go ahead and ask him questions.
http://cllr-alan-connett.blogspot.com/

Anyone interested in the Secmanton Rise planning application, can see how much the development will cost the developers before a brick is laid here:
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/media/pdf/n/g/DC2008_Sept_29_Item_8_-_B6_-_08.pdf

For what it is worth and I know comments have already been made.
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/media/pdf/n/3/DC2008_Sept_29_Item_8_-_A1_-_08.pdf

Re The Skate Park. I believe the following were the conditions when the Skate Park was given planning permission.

Resolved
That permission be granted subject to the following conditions:
1. Development in accordance with revised plans.
2. Acoustic barrier prior to first use in accordance with further details to be agreed.
3. Replacement trees to be planted.
4. Unless otherwise approved, no floodlighting to be installed.
5. Not used outside the hours of 8.00 am to 9.00 pm.

we used!should really have concerns over the impartiality of the Post/Gazette reporter Tom Scobie. In his account of the yoof centre planning approval not once was the word "disaffected". Have the yoof suddenly become "affected" ?

By 19 votes for and 0 votes against, the planning application for "A New Youth Centre Including Classrooms and Training Areas" at Sandy Lane was approved by TDC's Development Control Committee at its meeting on 29.09.08.

I've just received this from Teignbridge District Council re trees having to be planted as part of the planning consent for the skate park being built:


"As you correctly state, there was a planning condition requiring the
planting of 5 trees. In consultation with te Council's Tree Officer it has
been agreed that 5 Pyrus Calleryana (Chanticleer) should be planted. 3 of
these will be on the Sandy Lane frontage and 2 between the Pavilion and the
houses in Henty Avenue.

In order to comply with the condition they must be planted by 30th November
this year."

It's good that Anne has had an email from DTC. That must make her the first! But isn't that just the issue... NO COMMUNICATION. NO CONSULTATION. This council think they can keep us in the dark and feed us fertilizer. The obviously think they know better than we do... and they forget that they are only human too!

From Dawlish Live by someone called Ann:
I have had an email from the Town Council re the Youth Club.
There is not going to be any alcohol on the premises.
It is not going to be a drop in centre for drug/alcohol abuse.
Maybe now the rumours can stop.
If anyone wants full details suggest they email the council themselves.
DTC are obviously fudging the issue.

I reply to the questions Lynne and Sue raised when meeting with Mike somebody.

1. What was the Government target?
2. That doesn’t figure, any extension to open hours for happenings within the Parish, could be dealt with the same way as other extensions.
3. All staff working with children, (whatever classification you attach to the children) need a CRC. Who will police that?
4. Building the skate park under-ground was a non-starter in the first place. Children need to seen as to what they are doing, (I think they called it: showing off).
5. That appears to be a fudge of an answer.
6. Bit late now for that. I was under the impression that consultation was first in the queue, not last.
7. We employ CPSO’s to look after our needs. If they are not doing it, then why employ them?
8. As 7 above. If there is a problem, which there will be. What are they going to do about it? Shut it down!!!!!
9. The cricket pitch boundary was moved to accommodate the skateboard park, (I was there when they moved the boundary). This new planning application was I think to pinch a bit more to make a bank of soil with a fence on top.
10. The thinking was that a tall fence would appear unsightly, but a bank with a fence on the top would be more pleasing to the eye.

PS Dangerman - you talk about a new school. Please do tell more.

There are also at least two houses up for sale on Exeter Road where the houses back onto the playing fields.

I think by the time the new school is built and a new all weather pitch is put down there won't be a lot left of our beloved golf course area to worry about. I see there are two houses on the market already opposite where the proposed youth club/ bar/disco and 24 hour opening skate park will be.

Oh dear,! how could they do such a thing?
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Tesco-alleged-sold-food-past-use-date-Devon-stores/article-297635-detail/article.html

Spoke with Tom Scobie of the gazette/post yesterday re bar and disco for yoof centre. he didn't seem to believe me but I eventually guided him to the revised plans on the TDC website. He was going to check it out with TDC.

This may well be the first test of of the independence and attitude of our local reporter given the well publicised links to his lib-dem past and links with Wally P. If he fails then it will be a sad time for the only real paper covering our town.

I gave him a big story on a plate (worthy of being covered by a national paper (well the Daily Mail anyway); bar for yoof centre!) But he didn't seem all that enthusiastic.

And here is my official response as submitted to TDC to the revised plan:

1. Loss of meeting rooms - . Why have the meeting rooms and kitchen shown in the plans submitted back in July now been replaced by a disco and bar?

2. Noise pollution - I note the EHO is concerned with noise levels given that this building would be sited so close to residential units. I totally agree with that concern.

3. Original Planning Permission - there appears to be a constant tinkering with, and moving away from, the original plans which were granted planning permission in Feb. 06. These concerned a Youth Centre with integrated skate park. Now we have a separate skate park (presently being built) with a proposal that the still to be built Centre be used as a part Youth Training Centre and, seemingly, local disco and bar area. I am left to wonder just how many more "decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse"* there will be before this building finally gets off the ground!

4. Objections - The revised plan does not in any way address those issues raised in my previously submitted objection (indeed the revised plan raises more objections as per outlined above.)

(*) from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" - T.S. Eliot

Revised plan has been submitted re Youth/Training Centre. It is now proposed that the upper floor should lose meeting rooms and a kitchen and that they be replaced by a disco and a bar.

Off topic I know, but thought some of you might like to know that the first Dawlish Local Produce Market is due to take place on Friday 17th October. 9.00am - 2.00pm.

If you, or anyone you know, wish to have a stall please contact Dawlish Town Council on 01626 863388.

Stalls will cost £20 to hire. Help will be provided in setting them up.

Re the Youth/Training Centre planning application. Environmental Health Department have lodged letter expressing concern about noise and light levels due to close proximity of residential dwellings. Letter can be seen on TDC's website.

Looks like the planning applications for the following may be heard at the 29.09.08 Development Control Meeting:

Planning reference: 08/02503/MAJ - Tesco at Lady's Mile
Planning reference: 08/02952/MAJ - Lady's Mile & land for holiday accommodation use.
Planning reference: 08/02603/MAJ - Classrooms and Training areas for Youth Centre - Sandy Lane
Planning reference:08/02514/MAJ - Outline planning permission sought for approx 147 residential dwellings at Secmaton Rise. Approval sought for means of access.
Planning reference: 08/03014/MAJ - Outline planning permission sought fro approx 270 residential dwellings at Secmaton Lane/Gatehouse area. Approval sought for means of access.

Could be an interesting meeting on Monday 29th September!

I am wondering if Tesco is a new name for cancer or weed!!!!!
They sure seem to be springing up everywhere and infecting everywhere they set up.
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Tesco-nail-coffin-small-businesses/article-289298-detail/article.html

I notice whenever we receive emails from Teignbridge at the moment we are asked to comment on proposed unitary council for Devon. Has anyone commented so far? Looking at Dawlish TC website they are in favour but is this because they will have more power under this proposal eg planning and environmental health?
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/open-consultations/online-submissions

Thought some of you might be interested.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7572199.stm
I did give directions once before, but I will give them again.
Aldi, the East end of the Exeter by-pass, go straight through the traffic lights and take first on the left.
Lidl, which there are two, The roundabout at the Alphington end of Marsh Barton trading estate, first left. If you are coming into Alphington from the A30/38 third left and second left respectively.
Grab a bargain and save a few quid.
Sorry if I am offending organic and farmer's markets adicts!

Thought some might be interested!
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Tesco-confirms-open-store-city-later-year/article-278951-detail/article.html

nice to see the skateboard area is open at last, well at least after the workmen have gone home, funny how with all the dangerous items on the site how few of the skate boarders wear any safety equipment, how long before an accident happens. this park will be open 24-7 unless a good size fence is erected.

Will Dawlish Skateboard park be used when required as a nursery for beginners, before they move onto better facilities?

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Building-starts-skate-park/article-271393-detail/article.html

I've looked at the transport assessments for both these proposed planning applications. Whilst on the face of it it makes sense to have both developments joined up in the middle I am concerned that this will create a rat run. As Secmaton Lane cannot be used by motorists as a backend of town cut through I feel this new road will be.

Pity those who live in Carhaix Way & Pidgely Road - they are the ones who will take the brunt of the traffic caused by this new rat run.

Is this I wonder why Dawlish were so eager for a jump start?

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Building-starts-skate-park/article-271393-detail/article.html

For info. There are two planning applications in at the moment concerning the building of residential accommodation on land immediately adjacent to Sandy Lane Playing Fields.

1. Planning Reference: 08/02514/MAJ concerns the land by Secmaton Rise and which it is suggested should be accessed via Carhaix Way.

2. Planning Reference: 08/03014/MAJ concerns land to the back of Gatehouse Primary School and James' Plantation. It is proposed that this be accessed via a new road to be built leading to/from Secmaton Lane and running to the side of the Primary School.

Although two separate developments, it is being suggested that the two schemes will link up in the middle so that vehicles can travel through from one side to the other.

I've been following the 'sort of' debate about the proposed Facility for Vocational Training being based at the Youth Centre.

For what it is worth, my reason(s) for objecting to it is that I don't think it should be located in a Youth Centre that is to be built in what is a residential and leisure area.

Who the Facility for Vocational Training is aimed at is a connected but separate argument which raises two concerns for me. Firstly, from how far and wide and by what forms of transport would the teenagers be travelling in order to get to the centre and secondly if these teenagers are deemed to deemed to be 'disaffected' what exactly does that mean?

Whatever the answer(s) to the second part of my concerns, it still remains the case that the Youth Centre at Sandy Lane is not the site where the FVT should go. If it is offering training in light industry then it should be sited appropriately - like a light industrial business park.

The Youth Centre was originally given planning permission in Feb.06. It must be started to be built by Feb 09. If not,planning permission ceases and they have to submit again.

The planning application fee charged was £4,720.

But oh dear, almost 3 years later and still they haven't got money to build Youth Centre. Oops! What a waste of money!

But hang on - here comes the Cavalry! Devon County Council will stump up a huge amount if Youth Centre to become part Youth Training Centre.

New planning app. submitted with regard to Youth Training Centre (probably to be heard early September this year). If granted then:

1. Money available
2. New planning app. means the clock starts ticking again and the looming deadline of Feb. 09 gets removed.

Money and Time, Time and Money.

Tick Tock, Tickety Tock.

If I am not mistaken, was this not the same agency that backed the Sainsbury planning application.

The South West Regional Development Agency has defended itself against a campaign group's demands for the body to be scrapped.

The Taxpayers' Alliance called for the abolition of Regional Development Agencies yesterday Note: fri, claiming that £15bn has been wasted since their inception in 1999.

The alliance argues that RDAs have failed dismally on their three key aims.

I should have said, "involved with the yoof centre," after heavily.

I found the following on the Charity Commission web site. whilst Dawlish community Trust, are keeping a low profile, they may be heavily involved and there are councillors among the trustees.

THE PROMOTION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF URBAN OR RURAL REGENERATION IN AREAS OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION (AND IN PARTICULAR THE TOWN OF DAWLISH, DEVON) BY ALL OR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEANS: A) THE RELIEF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP: B) THE RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT: C) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING OR RETRAINING, PARTICULARLY AMONG UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE, AND PROVIDING UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WITH WORK EXPERIENCE; D) THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OR BUSINESS ADVICE OR CONSULTANCY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN CASES OF FINANCIAL OR OTHER CHARITABLE NEED THROUGH HELP: 1) IN SETTING UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS, OR 2) TO EXISTING BUSINESSES; E) THE CREATION OF TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY THE PROVISION OF WORKSPACE, BUILDINGS AND/OR LAND FOR USE ON FAVOURABLE TERMS; F) THE PROVISION OF HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CONDITIONS OF NEED AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF HOUSING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OR IN CHARITABLE OWNERSHIP PROVIDED THAT SUCH POWER SHALL NOT EXTEND TO RELIEVING ANY LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR OTHER BODIES OF A STATUTORY DUTY TO PROVIDE OR IMPROVE HOUSING; G) THE MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT OR PROVISION OF PUBLIC AMENITIES; H) THE PRESERVATION OF BUILDINGS OR SITES OF HISTORIC OR ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE; I) THE PROVISION OR ASSISTANCE IN THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE OR THOSE WHO, BY REASONS OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABLEMENT, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE NEED OF SUCH FACILITIES; J) THE PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT; K) THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES AND CHILDCARE; L) THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREVENTION OF CRIME; AND M) SUCH OTHER MEANS AS MAY FROM TIME TO TIME BE DETERMINED SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES. ANY OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSE FOR THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AS THE TRUSTEES DECIDE.

Check out planning application 08/02952/MAJ - (every little 'elps!)

Ah Lynne! But you are not a councilor, had you been, you would still be mesmerized by the first page. I have been asking on a variety of subjects from councilors of Dawlish for years, and from upper tiers of the political chain and have never got an worthwhile answer from any of them. The only one that came near to giving me an answer was Humphrey Clemens, he has since crawled back into his shell, claiming that whatever he said, I would knock him down.
I was thrown out of a council meeting by the infamous W. Protheroe. Al l I attempted to do was to get an answer to a previously asked question. It is recorded in the minutes that I was a, “disruptive influence”, and they would not even tell me who I was trying to influence.
If I was in your shoes, I too would have grave concerns of what these Councilors are trying to foist upon us, and other friends in the same boat as yourself do not like it either. Being subjective is what more mothers should practice. They should look to the future for the benefit of their offspring, and not let others dictate what they think is best for them.

Disagree with you there Peter. It was precisely what was written on the first page that imade me look further into the planning application. See my formal objection below. I have held fire on making any subjective comments on whom the training centre is aimed at and from where, for the simple reason that it is proving very difficult to find out any further information. Questions get asked but no answers are given.

I believe my objections to the planning application stand firm irrespective of the proposed clientele.

When/if I have more information about the 'disaffected youth' I will make an opinion. However, as I have a 13 year old daughter she will bear heavily in my mind. So expect a more subjective, protective parental, response. Would you or anyone else expect less?

In the meantime can I ask all those who are concerned about this youth training centre proposal to lodge a formal objection with Teignbridge District Council.

Sue , my comments re; the planning application for the Yoof centre, is word for word as printed on the application, they are not mine. I guess it was written like that to please the readers when they have to deliberate on the "yes", "no", issue. If they could get past the first page, which many of them can't, then they may take a different slant on it.
But as you say, "it looks good", so they will read no further than that.

With the Fair on the lawns almost upon us, if you feel strongly as I do about the damage it causes to the Lawns and the trees, now is the time to email
THiggs@teignbridge.gov.uk
Their contract runs out this year.
Previous email received from Tracey Higgs as follows:
Quote
"Councillor Alan Connett has asked me to respond to your queries regarding the fair.
Query 1 - Fair parking too close to the trees.
Last year, Mr Rowlands DID ignore the terms and conditions with regards the parking of vehicles too close to the trees. He was warned and has been advised that prior to pulling the fair on this summer, he is to meet with the Council's Arboricultural Officer and the boundaries re-iterated.
Query 2 - Fair operating in bad weather
Clause 24 states:-
''Weather The fair shall not operate when weather conditions are such as to jeopardise public safety or cause damage to the Lawn''.
There is nothing in the contract that states he should not operate in bad weather and I have never known Mr Rowlands to be nothing other than cautious. "

Surely if it is bad weather then it stands to reason it will cause damage to the lawn !!
If Teignbridge knew the Fair was too close to the trees causing damage why not insist they move rather than let them continue damaging the trees for two weeks.

Tree lovers out there please send email supporting removal of the Fair from the Lawns. When I spoke some time ago to one of the Arboricultural Officers he was telling me how much damage the Fair does. He is unable to do anything about it - it needs people power!

Delighted to see common sense prevailed tonight as Dawlish Town Council gave Tesco an almost unanimous thumbs down. Great speeches from David Bailey , Chris Marsh and another resident from Little Week Lane (sorry didn't get your name). Strange comment made by Bob Vickery. Not sure I understand what he was getting at.... did he want Tesco's?

When you put it like that, Peter, it sounds rather lovely!
I almost feel bad for objecting against it.... except when I realise that there has been NO consultation on its change of use. And it's effectively become a light industrial training centre - in the middle of a residential and leisure area. And it will be open to TEN PM every weekday... for training. And there is NO consideration to waste and recycling even though they are using numerous materials - some hazardous! And the facility is targeted at the WHOLE of Teignmouth (so far as disaffected youth are concerned) ... etc, etc.
It needs more consideration from so many angles.

From the original planning application:
This prosal is a modification to the approval already given under, NDD/05/04251/MAJ, to redevelope the lower floor into a ground floor level series of classrooms and training areas, for dissaffected, unemployed and poorly educated young people in teignbridge. helping them begin a new life.

"Integrated within the centre a Facility for Vocational Learning (FVL) that will be used to improve the lives of disaffected young people of the whole of Teignbridge"
This refers to the building, metalworking, plastering and building training facilities that will take up about 50% or more of the youth centre!!!!

For information - here is a press release issued by Devon County Council on 20.05.08.

"Dawlish Integrated Youth Centre £700,000

There is currently very limited youth provision in Dawlish which has over 2,000 young people aged 11 to 19 living in the area.

The Centre will be used to deliver a range of youth support services including positive activities to promote personal and social development, as well as services provided by Devon County Council's Youth Offending Team; Connexions services; Drug and Alcohol services and other voluntary sector services.

The project has been driven by Dawlish Action for Youth and is widely supported throughout the community. Young people are fully engaged in the needs analysis, design and lobbying stages and they will remain actively involved and play a leading role in its delivery.

Dawlish County Councillor John Clatworthy said: ""Having been a member of the group which dealt with the sale of Exeter International Airport, it is good to see a large sum being allocated to Dawlish."

"The long-standing requirement for a youth centre will now become a reality with this fundin, the site being made available by Teignbridge District Council and a grant from Dawlish Town Council".

Hi Peter, thank you for your kind comments. Just to clarify I have objected to TWO planning applications recently. One is Tesco's at Lady's Mile and the other is the massive *change* to the Youth Centre.
I want to emphasise I am not against the Youth Centre, but I am deeply concerned about the changes that they are proposing to it - namely for it to be a "Facility for Vocational Learning, for the disaffected youth from the WHOLE of Teignbridge". The centre now plans to deliver drug, alcohol, employment and youth offender services. It is a major departure from the original - and much needed - plan for a youth centre for Dawlish young people. And, insultingly, there has been NO consultation with residents about this. The application reference for this is 08/02603, on www.teignbridge.gov.uk in the planning section.

Well done Lynne and Sue, as you are the only two that I know of that have hit them with fruitful objections.
I will follow with mine shortly.

To return to Sandy Lane issues. For information - below is my objection to the planning application for a Vocational Learning Facility to be sited with the Youth Centre. This has objection has been submitted to Teignbridge District Council.


OBJECTION TO PLANNING APPLICATION – 08/02603/MAJ

Introduction
Planning approval was originally given for a Youth Centre. This new application not only seeks to change the use of the building from that of a 100% Youth & Community Centre into a 50% Youth Training Centre/50% Youth & Community Centre, but also seeks to change the geographic area from which its clientele will be drawn. Whilst any public building should be open for all to use, it would seem from this planning application that a facility which I understand was originally aimed 100% for the local community (by which I mean Dawlish and its immediate environs) is now 50% aimed to serve the whole of Teignbridge (see section 3 of the Planning Application Form and section 5 of the Design & Access Statement ). Whilst such changes in themselves need not prevent planning permission being granted, I would respectfully suggest that at the very least planning permission be deferred thus enabling various assessments to be undertaken such as traffic impact. Give also that the type of activity to take place has also changed from that originally envisaged I feel that Health & Safety, Waste Disposal and Risk Assessments also need to be made. I see no evidence of any of this from the online planning documents. A deferment would also enable consultation with local residents to take place.

Consultation
I refer you to section 4. of the Design and Access Statement in which it is stated:” Extensive consultation over recent months has been carried out with local organisations and residents...”. I beg to disagree. As a local resident I can guarantee you that the first I and many other residents knew of this Facility for Vocational Learning was when we read the planning application. Indeed, I suspect many others are presently in blissful ignorance of this whole issue. That I am someone who keeps themselves very aware of what is going on in Dawlish, that I live fairly near to the Sandy Lane site and that I am the mother of a 13 year old would indicate I think that had any public consultation been undertaken I would have engaged with it. The reason I don’t know of any consultation is because none has happened. Consultation with residents may have taken place some couple of years back concerning the original proposal for a 100% Youth/Community Centre but none, absolutely none, has taken place with residents concerning the proposed Facility for Vocational Learning. Indeed, this is implicitly admitted by the applicant’s agent when in section 8 of the planning application where it is asked if neighbour and community consultation has taken place the response is “Yes – At Time of Original Application”.


Risk Assessment, Health & Safety
The vocational unit will contain “general purpose metal and woodworking machinery” (see section 23 of the planning application). From the floor plans submitted it seems that vices, lathes, drills, soldering equipment and electric circuiting equipment will be present. Have any Risk and/or Health & Safety assessments been made concerning this? Training in Hair and Beauty is also to be offered. Again, given the chemicals that may be used in such training have any Risk/Health& Safety assessments been made?

Immediately next door is a children’s playground and a pre-school day nursery. Has any risk/health & safety assessment taken place with regard to them? I ask this not only on the grounds of the type of activities now proposed to take place in this Youth come Training Centre but also from the point of view of increased traffic. I will return to the traffic issue separately.



Waste Disposal
It is claimed there will be no hazardous substances on site (see section 24 of the planning application). However, as the waste materials will include wood, metal and chemicals - all potentially hazardous - surely a waste disposal assessment/provision is required. Has this happened? I have to say I think not, as in section 7 of the planning application where it asks if “the plans incorporate areas to store and aid the collection of waste?” the applicant’s agent has ticked the ‘No’ box. He has also responded in the negative to the question “Have arrangements been made for the separate storage and collection of recyclable waste”. Does that mean there will be no recyclable waste? I find that difficult to believe.
It would appear that no provision has been made for the storage and removal of waste whether hazardous, recyclable, or landfill.


Parking for Motor Vehicles
The applicant’s agent states that there will be no on-site parking spaces (see section 11 Vehicle Parking in planning application) and claims in the Design and Access Statement “Impact to car parking is minimal due to the age of the majority of users not being driving licence holders”. Yet a few paragraphs later he writes “The facility is intended to be used primarily by young people but it is intended for all members of the community to have availability”.

I disagree that the age of the young people using the vocational training facility would be 16 and under. I believe it would be more like 16-19. And given that this facility is to be made available to all within Teignbridge how do you think the vast majority the users will travel? By public or by private transport? I suspect private. Presumably the cars and motor bikes will be parked in the nearby Leisure Centre and Sandy Lane car parks. Has any assessment taken place regarding the impact on these parking areas?

I note that section 20 of the Planning Application has been left blank. This is the section that asks for details of employees. I would imagine at least two centre managers would be required (if only one s/he would surely be working hours way beyond the European working time directive!). And, of course, trainers will be required to train the trainees. How many trainers? Why no car parking provision for those working at the centre such as the trainers, the officer manager(s) and the youth workers? Whilst I am all for more sustainable forms of transport I am at the same time a realist. Do I think users and staff will walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the centre or do I think they will use private transport? Well, what do you think?

Traffic Impact Assessment
Whether driven by parents/carers or driving themselves, the users of the centre will inevitably increase the amount of traffic using Sandy Lane. The materials needed for use in the training centre will necessitate delivery vehicles. Has any traffic impact assessment been made? What about the safety of pedestrians? Secondary school students cross this area on their way to Dawlish Community College. Mums and small children are in the area due to the close proximity of the children’s play area and pre-school nursery. What about them, their safety, their needs?

I am also concerned for the safety of pedestrians as outlined in the paragraph above with regard to construction vehicles should this planning application be approved. What safety measures would be put in place to protect pedestrians and those caring for small children?

I note that when planning permission was originally granted for the 100% Youth Centre (NDD/05/04521/MAJ refers) a condition was that “No development shall commence until a scheme for the calming of traffic in Sandy Lane has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The building shall not be occupied until the scheme has been completed in accordance with the approved details”. Reason: In the interest of Highway Safety. If those measures were deemed necessary for a Youth Centre only, then surely even more highway safety measures may be needed given the greater number of cars, motor bikes and delivery vehicles in the area now travelling to and from the Facility for Vocational Training.

Opening Times
It is stated that the facility will be open from 9.00hours – 22.00 hours Mon- Friday and from 9.00 to 12.00 hours Saturday. Does this mean the whole building? If so, does this mean that training sessions could be taking place up to 10 o’clock at night? A little excessive don’t you think?

No information is given for how long the training sessions will last. Will they be for half days or full days? This may be important for if for half days then traffic on Sandy Lane will again be increased at the change over time. If for full days, where is it expected that the students will go at break and lunch times?

Location
This planning application seeks to change the use of the building from that of 100% Youth/Community Centre to that of 50% Youth Training Centre. It is my belief that it should be rejected, or at the very least deferred, not only for all the reasons stated above but also because I believe its proposed location is not the right one. For a Youth/Community Centre to be built in a residential and leisure area is one thing, for an industrial vocational training centre to be built is quite another. It should be located in a more appropriate site such as an industrial estate.

End.

Just like they did at their Kingsteignton store!

Remember they would not comment on the potential of a future mezzanine floor... that would effectively DOUBLE the size of the store.

It may only be slightly smaller now Peter, but you can bet your bottom dollar that give it a few years and they will be putting in for planning permission to make it bigger.

That's what Tesco do. WAKE UP DAWLISH!

Tesco!!!!
I see that the Tesco new development, will be slighly smaller (notice "slightly") than Newton Abbot and Exeter Superstores.
It will cover 6.19 acres, (half of the whole of the Sandy Lane playing fields).
It will have parking for 213 vehicles incl 14 disabled and 20 cycle.
The store size will be huge 24,458 ft2.
It will reduce the much needed holiday parks.
The huge roundabout that will be built at the junction of Carhaix, will bound to have a detrimental impact on the properties along the A379 adjacent to the site.
Noise levels are bound to increase by increased traffic movents.
In order to protect the property for an airbourne terrorist attack, the whole of the roof area will be camoflage with sedum (Low growing plant).Perhaps they will also lay green tarmac.
It is time to protest against this utter madness.

Those 40+ on the waiting list for an allotment are as you rightly say more than enough to trigger something.
But nothing will be triggered unless the council are made aware of their responsibilities.
This council we have do not offer anything, they tell you what they want. It is high time others told them what we want.

Peter,

As I understand that there are over 40 persons waiting for an allotment in Dawlish, I would have thought that figure more than enough to trigger any bureaucratic/statutory mechanism.

So..... why hasn't that happened?

Hi Lynne, Daniel.
My understanding is, they are not statutory allotments.
The piece of ground is leased by the council from the Luscombe estate.
If the estate management decline to renew the lease, (which is only for stretches of five years) then bang would go the allotments.

The used to be many statutory allotments in and around Dawlish (before I came here) but when they wanted to build on the land, everyone was given notice to quit and they accepted it out of hand, as in those days they did not know how to stand up for their rights. Different story now, put pressure on the authority, it is your right. Remember though, they will probably make you jump through many hoops before you will get it. You only need six members of the electorate to set the whells in motion, but many many more would certainly make them sit up and think.

Hi Lynne,

Re your comments on allotments, if they are statutory allotments and thus defined as such in the law, if a change of use for the land is required, consent will have to be gained from the Department of Communities and Local Government. They cannot change the use automatically and especially if a waiting list is known to exist.

The Section 106 Agreement monies (called a commuted Sum) could be used for any community provision as required by the Local Authority and could cover the cost of providing and/or upgrading allotment sites. It is up to them what they ask for in negotiations. Maybe you need to speak to TDC's Allotments Officer or Leisure Services Team.

Hope that helps

Daniel

If you wish to complain about the lack of information, consultation, risk assessment, traffic impact assessment, noise assessment, refuse disposal arrangements (lack of), etc etc concerning the DAY proposal to change the 100% Youth Centre into a 50% Youth Training Centre then as well as telling the councillors & local press DO TELL THE PLANNERS.

You can do so either by going onto the planning page on the Teignbridge District Council website or by e-mailing the planning department direct: planning@teignbridge.gov.uk

or by writing to:
The Planning Department
Teignbridge District Council
Planning Department
Forde House
Newton Abbot
TQ12 4XX

You must quote the planning reference: 08/02603/MAJ

Youtha - don't joke about these things.... that's probably how the youth club got turned into an industrial training centre. One bright spark, with one sherry too many decided to say "what-oh gentlemen, why don't we get all the cash we can by turning the youth centre, into a government training centre? Bound to be some grants in that for us"

To return to Sandy Lane issues........ (unless of course there are plans to turn them into allotments.....well at this rate you never know do you?!)......... should you wish to express your concern/disquiet regarding the proposed Youth/Training Centre to our local councillors here is how to do it:

NAMES AND DETAILS OF DAWLISH COUNCILLORS

Devon County Council
John Clatworthy, 23 West Cliff Road, EX7 9EB. Tel: 01626 864091
johnclatworthy@devon.gov.uk

Teignbridge District Council
Humphrey Clemens, Manor Farm, Holcombe, Dawlish. Tel 01626 863020
Humphrey.clemens@aol.com or Cllr.Clemens@Dawlishtowncouncil.uk.net

Graham Price, Mewstone, The Mews, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 867088
Graham@the-mews.eclipse.co.uk

Rosalind Prowse, 4 Nash Gardens, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 866621
rosedens@hotmail.com

Ted Hockin, Aalsmeer, 14a Exeter Road, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 862088
e.hockin@tiscali.co.uk

Mary Mugford, Seaforth, 7 Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 863516
mmugford@teignbridge.gov.uk


Dawlish Town Council
See above for details of:
- Humphrey Clemens
- Graham Price
- Rosalind Prowse
- Ted Hockin
- Mary Mugford


Geoff Wills, 13 Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish. 01626 888074. geoffwills@ccz.eclipse.co.uk

Helen Humphries, Flat, 6 Marine Parade, Dawlish, 01626 862233. helenhumphries@aol.com

Pauline Bloomfield, 50 Cofton Hill, Cockwood, ex6 8RB. 01626 890200. paulinebloomfield@btinternet.com

Wally Protheroe, Mount Pleasant Inn, Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren. 01626 863151. wallyprotheroe@tiscali.co.uk

Francine Tullis, Branscombe Cottage, Branscombe Lane, Dawlish. EX7 0QU. 01626 864424
francinetullis@tesco.net

Jackie Bush, 2 Elm Grove, Dawlish. 01626 865704. jaivic@aol.com

Helen Wills, 13 Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish, EX7 0HP. 01626 888074. helenwills@ccz.eclipse.co.uk

Janet Garland, Cranworthy, 10 Luscombe Terrace, Dawlish. 01626 888312

Derek Collins, 5 Little Week gardens, Dawlish. EX7 0RB

Apply a little pressure to your lovable councillors and see if they can worm their way out of it.

Allotments: I understand the lease on the land presently used as allotments in the town is due to run out in 2011. All the allotments are used and there are presently over 40 persons waiting for allotments in the town. So how come no allotments are forthcoming via Section 106 agreements from the proposed supermarket(s) and residential developements? There is obviously a need for them.

Do not wish to hijack this site with another problem, but as it affects so many, I thought why not, it could be of benefit.

With the cost of living going through the roof, I thought I would dig out old documents that I acquired many years ago to do with allotments, (another fight of mine).

I thought I would let readers into a secret....Under the allotments Act 1908 which have never been anulled to my knowledge:

Duty of certain councils to provide allotments.
— (1) If the council of any borough, urban district, or parish are of opinion that there is a demand for allotments in the borough, urban district, or parish, the council shall provide a sufficient number of allotments, and shall let such allotments to persons resident in the borough, district, or parish, and desiring to take the same.
(2) On a representation in writing to the council of any borough, urban district, or parish, by any six registered parliamentary electors or [persons who are liable to pay an amount in respect of council tax] resident in the borough, urban district, or parish, that the circumstances of the borough, urban district, or parish are such that it is the duty of the council to take proceedings under this Part of this Act therein, the council shall take such representation into consideration.

All the shenanigins that went on to provide allotments for the people of Dawlish and eventually provided at an enormous cost, (leased land at Brown's Brook from the Luscombe Estate). One would have thought it would have provided it for a pepicorn rent as it is not much use for any other purpose and it is for leisure purposes after all.

This is why I prefer Sainsburys rather than Tesco coming to Dawlish. I have experienced Tesco doing this in several towns I have lived in.

"Squeezed out by the big boys
Since it first opened its doors in 1946, residents of Withernsea, in East Riding of Yorkshire, bought most of their groceries from Proudfoot, the family-owned supermarket in the centre of town. As the "big four" supermarkets expanded their grip upon Britain's towns more and more independent shops went under but trade at Proudfoot remained brisk.

Then in 2004 Tesco came to Withernsea. Its first move was to send more than 6,000 residents vouchers offering an £8 discount for every £20 spent in the local Tesco store. Proudfoot responded with its own discounts but could not match Tesco. Sales at Proudfoot in the year following Tesco's arrival in town fell by 35 per cent.

The Proudfoot family were so outraged by what they believed was Tesco's "predatory pricing" policies that they tried to take the company to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Ian Proudfoot, who, with his brother Mark, runs the family stores, said at the time: "It is... an attempt to squash competition and dominate the catchment area." The OFT decided that Tesco's actions were not deemed "anti-competitive".

The store struggled on for another two years before finally folding when Aldi offered to buy them out. Mark Proudfoot thought it best to concentrate on the four other Proudfoot stores they still owned across the region. Since April, their stores have been reduced to three after Tesco took over the store in Barton-Upon-Humber."

taken from "The Independant" today.

Certainly if Tesco come here rather than Sainsburys, I will be shopping online for my "non-fresh" groceries.

Despite the comments from the young mother I find it cheaper to shop locally for fresh items as you don't overbuy, the butchers will give a discount if you shop regularly and they are always so cheerful and helpful, and if anyone saw the programme regarding the meat factory supplying meat to Tesco some years ago, you would never eat Tesco meat again (and I haven't!)

Hi V6. Check this out.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/08/food.ethicalliving

Now here's one to watch out for. Suddenly it's gone from being a Youth Club for Dawlish, to being a centre for disaffected youth, for the WHOLE of Teignbridge. Evidently the rest of Teignbridge don't want their troubles on their own doorstep so they are dumping them on Dawlish instead. Meaning our kids and grand-kids who just want a nice time in a youth club, will be subjected to who-knows-what in terms of language, habits, manners, abuse, aggression, drugs, alcohol..... perhaps not IN the youth club, but who's going to shoo them away afterwards!

The other DAD was right - we aren't against supermarkets as such. Granted, there does seem to be a little ill-will against Tesco's - but that's because they were so determined to build on Sandy Lane, and came marching in here with their high-handed bullying tactics. You're right, no-one can blame Alfie Jeffries from taking the money. Most people would, so good luck to him. But in the scheme of things, we are only about protecting sandy lane against development....

Er.....DADS is about not building on Sandy Lane Playing Fields, not about there not being a new supermarket in Dawlish. Didn't you see our home page?

But hope you feel better for having got all of that out of your system.

lets all face facts here,as a modern mother of 3young children struggling to make ends meet (especially in our countries current financial climate with a recession looming) a supermarket is THE ONLY PLACE i can afford to shop, we now are living in the 21st century and anyone who thinks they can preserve this ideal of a scene from yesteryear of a mother with her wicker basket shopping in her local shops needs to wake up and face reality. Dawlish shops charge extortionate prices for their goods and produce, it is no wonder that most locals including myself now shop out of town, most families cannot afford to shop locally due to the prices shops charge for the most basic of items. I havent been able to afford to shop here since the birth of my second child 8 years ago. The shops have slowly closed down due to people shopping at cheaper out of town locations, Dawlish has been taken over by Charity shops (even those are not cheap nowadays)and invaded by bookies At least if a proper supermarket is built in Dawlish i will be able to shop there rather than drive my car to either Newton Abbot or Exeter thus saving on petrol and pollution.Who knows if they do build it - with the new road tax bands and price increases coming into force next April perhaps we will all be able to use our cars less.As for Mr Jeffreys- fair play to him i say,if it was anyone of us who owned that land what with the current economic state of this country
WE WOULD ALL BE TEMPTED to sell up to the big corporates to try to make some cash to balance our books, afterall Mr Jeffreys has a business to run and a family to support the same as the rest of us, so give the guy a break. Face facts Dawlish will get a supermarket one way or the other - be it a Sainsburys or a Tesco or whoever. It is called MODERNISATION AND REGENERATION !!!!! Welcome to the real world !!

What the fuss is about.

Can someone please tell me how we have moved with an apparent sleight of planning application hand from

1. A youth/community centre being built for the use of the Dawlish young people and commuity

to

2. This proposal whereby the lower floor will be "developed into a series of classrooms and training for disaffected, unemployed and poorly educated young people in Teignbridge".

It is claimed that neighbours and the local community have been consulted about the proposal. I would disagree. The community may have been consulted about (1) but they most definitely have not been consulted about (2).

Whilst Sandy Lane may be an appropriate place for a Youth Centre given that it is a leisure area, that does not make it an appropriate area for a youth training area.

What do you think?

Whilst I support the youth in Dawlish, I do not support the location that has been earmarked for the proposed youth centre and never have. And by all accounts, there could be an even bigger backlash, than there was for the proposed Tesco store to be built there. People in Elmgrove drive, already have problems with the football club members.

Sandy lane playing fields are just that and the definition of a playing field is, "An open space for pitch games".

For years various bodies have placed other recreational facilities on these playing fields, thus removing the facilities for pitch games. There have been no other pitch facilities made available to my knowledge in the past 75yrs, which on balance is a disgrace considering the growth in population over those years. Instead of having more open space provided which is a recommendation from various government sources, we have been systematically denied what we once had.

It has been so easy over the years to meet a demand for other sporting activities, without any consideration of those that play pitch sports, their voice being lost in the wilderness. It has now reached crisis point, so much so, that the alterations to the previous planning application is causing much concern. It has always been a concern, but many decided to tolerate it. I think things will be a little different now.

It is my understanding that those that have leased the cricket pitch, at a cost, (so I am told) of £2100 for the season. Will now no longer seek to renew their lease because of the encroachment of the skateboard park onto the cricket pitch, which has made it smaller. They will be looking elsewhere, so there will be a loss of revenue for someone.

Nothing is ever easy!

I'm furious about the proposed use of the youth center. The problem isn't that there will be "disaffected young people" (DYPs), it's that they will be herded here from all over the district. So, whereas it's fine to have DYP's from Dawlish here, because they'll balance out person-to-person the decent kids, now we could end up with 20 DYP's to every normal adjusted kid - and that's NOT right!
The youth centre was billed for our young people, and designed for them, and now they are saying it's got to be changed to accomodate every snotty-nosed, knife-wielding ASBO-proud yoof in the whole of Teignbridge. And give them the kit to sharpen their crow-bars, saw off their shotguns, and the venue to buy/sell drugs.
Sandy Lane may get a new unofficial off-licence, but Dawlish will become a no-go zone.

Why oh why oh why are they trying to stiff us with this? We aren't even in a central location to bus all these troublemakers into. Can't they set up some service for them in Forde House? Or are they worried they will be the subject of too many bad influences there?

http://www.dawlishaction4youth.org.uk/guestbook/home.ikml

We've known about the youth centre for some time, and to be honest, it's needed. Whether or not it's in the right site, well time will tell, and after the investment of time and money, we certainly hope it is in the right place!
However, whether or not the youth centre, that was *supposed to be for our young people* should be undermined, and have facilities reduced by a plague of disaffected young people from all over the district, well that's just plain wrong. The youth centre, the residents, the young people themselves have been done a MASSIVE DIS-SERVICE by whoever agreed to this white elephant of an intrusion.
Do we really want our young people meeting and socialising with "disaffected youth" - FROM ALL OVER TEIGNBRIDGE? "Disaffected" - meaning they could be doing anything from drug/alcohol use, dealing or violent/criminal behaviour. Do we want this in our midst? Do we want our children and grand-children to be influenced by it?

Yes, I do feel very aggrieved about this, especially as we have Tesco and now this, which I stumbled on yesterday! Why cannot TDC leave alone Sandy Lane for the good people and visitors (like myself of several years standing) of Dawlish to enjoy and cherish! Surely this site is no good for a youth centre, being so close to an established residential area. Wouldnt this sort of development be better in Teignmouth or Newton Abbot which are bigger settlements?

Come on DADS, fight this ludicrous proposal and the war which seems to be happening on this land.

Daniel

From the youth club plans you'll see that they are including a unit for the "disaffected youth of the WHOLE of Teignbridge"

I can only assume, that these "disaffected individuals" are the young people who have been excluded from school. Why? Because they are disruptive, have problems (drugs, alcohol, violence, mental health, etc), and are not a good influence on young people who want to work hard. SO so so... now they are going to scoop them from all over the district and DUMP them on Dawlish with our children here, and teach them their sordid tricks, where to get alcohol from, share fags, drugs, etc.... It's a shame about the disaffected ones, but I do not think that this is a solution to help them - it's only going to help the powers that be, who have tick-boxes and targets to meet. For Dawlish this is a BAD MOVE! Does anyone else feel aggrieved about this?

08/02603/MAJ
Former Play Area
Sandy Lane
Dawlish
Devon
New youth centre including classrooms and training areas

I see Tesco are still operating in Zimbabwi.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7481496.stm
Must be a friend of Mugabe

I was so upset this morning I had to go out whilst they were cutting and chopping up the trees. The sound even inside the house was very distressing. A very very sad day - such a waste of beautiful HEALTHY trees. Why the park couldn't be moved a few feet to accomodate them - we'll never know...

RIP trees.

With the murdering of the trees at Sandy Lane playing fields, for once I am speechless.

This was in my local paper today!

Tesco’s fighting talk on store plan

Tesco today came out fighting and insisted it is still determined to build Wombourne’s first supermarket despite having its multi-million pound plans thrown out by South Staffordshire planning chiefs.

The supermarket giant followed in the footsteps of rivals Sainsbury’s when its proposals to branch out into the picturesque village were rejected by planners.

But bosses are insisting they will continue with their battle and are studying the reasons why the application was rejected on Tuesday.

Spokesman Tony Fletcher said today: “We are obviously very disappointed that the plans were refused.

“We are looking at all of the reasons why the plans were turned down so we can decide on our next step.

“From all of the feedback we have had, residents have said that a supermarket is something they need in Wombourne,” he said.

“We are still very much committed to building a supermarket in Wombourne and so now we are deciding which route to take.”

Sainsbury’s was the first store giant to announce multi-million pounds to set up a supermarket in the village, after snapping up a vacant factory unit on Heath Mill Road industrial estate, off the Bridgnorth Road.

And Tesco followed just days later after it emerged bosses were in negotiations to buy the Static Systems site just yards from the site owned by its rivals.

Both had hoped to win over planning chiefs with promises of bringing hundreds of jobs to the village and dozens of residents signed petitions supporting the supermarket plans.

I wonder if ultimately we will need a fighting fund to be set up.

This was in Regeneration and Renewal magazine today!

Public inquiry into Tesco's plans

A public inquiry will be held into plans to build a supermarket in a Norfolk seaside resort.

Last year, North Norfolk District councillors rejected plans for a 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m) supermarket on Cromer Road, Sheringham.

Planning officers had recommended approval of the project but councillors voted for rejection by 17 votes to nil.

The inquiry, to be held in the council chamber, will begin on 1 July and is expected to last three weeks.

The district council has pledged £200,000 in a fighting fund to block the supermarket application.

The inquiry will be chaired by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

Lynne,
I am sorry then, it was TDC not updating their website page! I was under the impression from that they were looking into additional consultation as it was badged as pending decision!! It sometimes happens though and I know too well working at the Local Authority!!!

Whats the latest with Tesco?

KEEP GOING DADS!

Planning Permission HAS been given by TDC to Sainsbury to build a store at Shutterton Bridge. I was at the Dev. Control Committee meeting and heard it all.

Interestingly in relation to Peter Harry's comments, I seem to recall that Ted Hockin was equally HORRIFIED when there was a plan several years ago to demolish outmoded beach hut shops at the Warren in favour of a bright modern seafront walk which we now have! Apparently, in this case he was upset as he had popularised these huts at the Warren after seeing them in WW2 in (I think) North Africa!
It didnt have anything to do with the fact that Mr Hockin owned the majority of them after buying them up over several years!!

Seems like history repeating itself to me!

Sue

I have looked on the TDC website and it would appear that PP has not been granted for Sainsburys at Shutterton Brook, it was listed as "Pending Decision" which means some issues need to be resolved before PP issued or the decision has not been posted yet and the site updated.
I was cross to read Mr Jeffrey's comments in the Express and Echo as it would appear the only person who will benefit on the Tesco being on Ladies Mile is him and alsotwo supermarkets in Dawlish would case retail oversaturation and a drift from town centre.

Keep going DADS!

I understand that the planning application for the phone mast at Sandy Lane was approved today (Cllr Mary Mugford spoke IN SUPPORT of it).
Maybe she didn't see the front cover of a Sunday newspaper claiming that all these suicides in Wales have been attributed to mobile phone masts!!!!
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/49330/Suicides-linked-to-phone-masts.
I know, I know, don't believe everything you read in the papers, but sometimes there's a germ of truth in them.. The health implications of phone masts have been long known though, so I'm surprised anyone would speak in support of such a risk in the heart of our community, so close to schools and nursery schools!
I'm intrigued. Did Cllr Mugford really speak on behalf of her constituents? Did she really represent the local residents who are concerned about their health and that of children in the local schools?
(from email also sent to M Mugford, and several others)

Personally, with fuel prices it is better to have a small supermarket nearby rather than spend time and money going to Newton Abbot. Although I do a lot of local shopping for the heavier items I do use a supermarket. Without a large organisation then Shutterton will never be developed particularly with the economy at the moment. We have to ask why aren't there more young families in Dawlish and one of the reasons has to be lack of a supermarket.

Sainsbury have been given the planning go ahead to build at Shutterton Bridge.

Round one to Sainsbury.
Round two to ?

And did Ted Hockin give his reason why he is so HORRIFIED?
Sainsbury is to far out of town, it is asking for planning approval on land that has been earmarked for light industrial development and, in spite of road improvements in the immediate vicinty of the store, how will improvement be made to the rest of the road network to get there. A store of the projected size, needs people for it to survive, Dawlish alone could not give it that support.
I do wish people would think of the wider implications and not focus on the fact that there may be a supermarket, which may benefit some.
A supermarket what ever name it runs under, will I fear do untold damage to Dawlish.

Yes think that supporting Sainsburys application is the way forward. Plus of course Dawlish gets the benefit of a business park hopefully attracting full time employment to the town

The problem is it seems a supermarket is inevitable. So, given that, do we want one that is pleasant to us, listens and takes note of our views (Sainsbury's)? Or do we want one that's operates with bully-boy tactics, being set to build on the leisure land initially, upsetting everyone at the consultation, and with an appalling record of treatment of communities and suppliers - putting profits before people (Tesco's)? So if we DON'T want Tesco's - does that mean our best weapon against them is to have Sainsbury's?

Received email from Ted Hockin as follows re planning officer recommending refusal on Monday re Sainsburys.
"I agree with you, this is an officer recommendation which has horrified Dawlish councillors, I have written to everyone on the Development Control Committee (apart from one who would do the opposite of anything I suggest) for their support in getting the application approved.

Ted Hockin"

Express & Echo
1PM UPDATE: TRAFFIC HOLD-UPS CAUSED AFTER ACCIDENT

12:41 - 20 June 2008



An accident involving a car and a motorcycle has partially blocked the Exeter Road at Dawlish.

The accident on the A379 outside Marine Garage is causing disruption to traffic in both directions.

An accident which caused disruption on the A379 in Dawlish are few and far between.
A supermarket in Dawlish will cause disruption every day.

And it's not unknown for Tesco to go in small and non 24 hour and then some years later - guess what they want to do? Yep! get bigger and stay open longer.

On the subject of mezzanine floors (a favourite Tesco way to increase size, and add non-food ranges): was told that the height of the store will be 6m at front, dropping away at the back. Also told it needs to be 7m high for a mezzanine. But when I asked about a mezzanine, was informed that this was not the purpose of THIS consultation exercise...

Another question - another answer:
I asked - how many juggernauts? - answer: "6 per day"
A friend asked, 24 hour deliveries? - answer: "No, just starting very early, and finishing very late"

When I went to the Tesco's consultation, I asked a few questions. Here's one of the answers:

Store size: 25,000 sq ft

Tesco's claim not to know how many people will be shopping at their store, but they say that their average takings at an average Tesco store are £12,500 per square metre, per annum. (In other words - Tesco's will be taking about £29million a year from Dawlish residents!!!)

Allegedly it's cost them a cool £18million! But at this rate, they'll be in profit VERY quickly!

Has anyone clocked Brixham 21 ltd (google it) It would appear that Tesco are hell bent on ruining the quality of life where ever they touch down.
Anyone going to Brixham will know of the traffic problems now. Imagine what it will be like with a Tesco in the Town?

And if anyone wants to write a letter to our local papers here are the e-mail addresses.

For the Gazette - Dawlish@internet-today.co.uk
For the Post - mda.edit@internet-today.co.uk

You will need to provide your full name and full address and phone number but the number of your house and your phone number aren't published.

For the Gazette deadline is noon Monday for following Wednesday's paper and for the Post I'd guess Weds. noon for following Friday's edition.

tesco's are putting their planning application into teignbridge next friday 20th june not giving us a chance to send back their forms to take our comments into account!! so that they can have their planning in before sainsburys. tesco's are so sneaky with what they are doing.also we are sending comments back to the lady that was very rude to me last time coz i asked a couple of questions she didn't want to answer!! so will my questions mean anything to her now? i don't think so.come on dawlish wake up again and say no to the bullies from tesco's once they are in they will just keep getting bigger.what about the shops at the marina they will not be able to stand up to tesco's being so close!! also the shops in the town come on make a stand dont just let them bulldoze us!!!!! who want's to go camping on a tesco car park not me!!

* Having adverse effect on traffic, road access, visibility or parking.
* Resulting in noise and disturbance affecting local people.

Two things that Tesco's will definitely be causing at Lady's Mile!

So, erm, "me", are you possibly thinking that people may have grounds to object against a forthcoming planning proposal.... like Tesco's?

And here's some advice re objecting to planning applications:

Can be considered:
* Being contrary to local or structure plan policies or government advice.
* Allowing overlooking windows, thereby resulting in lack of privacy.
* Having a poor design and appearance or being out of keeping with the character of an old building or having an overbearing impact on an adjoining property.
* Result in the loss of important trees.
* Having adverse effect on traffic, road access, visibility or parking.
* Resulting in noise and disturbance affecting local people.

Cannot be considered:
* Loss of personal view from the particular property.
* Loss of property value
* That the development differs from what the developer told you personally they were intending.
* Disputes over land ownership
* Doubt over the integrity of the appliant
* Objections to the principle of development where an outline permission exists.

Just in case any of you have any need to contact our local councillors about any recent events or proposals that you may be none to happy about here's a reminder of who they are and how to contact them.

Teignbridge District Council

Humphrey Clemens, Manor Farm, Holcombe, Dawlish. Tel 01626 863020
Humphrey.clemens@aol.com or Cllr.Clemens@Dawlishtowncouncil.uk.net

Graham Price, Mewstone, The Mews, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 867088
Graham@the-mews.eclipse.co.uk

Rosalind Prowse, 4 Nash Gardens, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 866621
rosedens@hotmail.com

Ted Hockin, Aalsmeer, 14a Exeter Road, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 862088
e.hockin@tiscali.co.uk

Mary Mugford, Seaforth, 7 Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish. Tel: 01626 863516
Mmugford@teignbridge.gov.uk

Dawlish Town Council
See above for details of:
Humphrey Clemens
Graham Price
Rosalind Prowse
Ted Hockin
Mary Mugford

Geoff Wills, 13 Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish. 01626 888074. geoffwills@ccz.eclipse.co.uk

Helen Humphries, Flat, 6 Marine Parade, Dawlish, 01626 862233. helenhumphries@aol.com

Pauline Bloomfield, 50 Cofton Hill, Cockwood, ex6 8RB. 01626 890200. paulinebloomfield@btinternet.com

Wally Protheroe, Mount Pleasant Inn, Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren. 01626 863151. wallyprotheroe@tiscali.co.uk

Francine Tullis, Branscombe Cottage, Branscombe Lane, Dawlish. EX7 0QU. 01626 864424

Jackie Bush, 2 Elm Grove, Dawlish. 01626 865704. jaivic@aol.com

Helen Wills, 13 Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish, EX7 0HP. 01626 888074. helenwills@ccz.eclipse.co.uk

Janet Garland, Cranworthy, 10 Luscombe Terrace, Dawlish. 01626 888312

Derek Collins, 5 Little Week gardens, Dawlish. EX7 0RB

Some further information - wards
The Teignbridge and Town Councillors represent parts of Dawlish, or wards, on their respective councils. Which ward you are in depends on where you live.


Teignbridge District Councillors
For the purpose of the District Council, Dawlish is divided into two wards.

Ted Hockin, Graham Price and Mary Mugford represent Dawlish Central and North East ward on Teignbridge District Council. Lady's Mile Caravan Site is situated in this ward. This ward covers roughly the town centre out to Cockwood.

Humphrey Clemens and Rosalind Prowse represent Dawlish South West on Teignbridge District Council. This ward covers, roughly, an area from the western side of the town, including Holcombe, to the boundary with Teignmouth.

Dawlish Town Councillors
For the purpose of the Town Council, Dawlish is divided into three wards.

1) North East – from the eastern side of the town to Cockwood

2) Central – covering the town centre

3) South West – from the western side of the town, including Holcombe, to the boundary with Teignmouth.

Pauline Bloomfield & Francine Tullis represent North East Ward

Graham Price, Geoff Wills, Wally Protheroe, Ted Hockin, Mary Mugford, Janet Garland, Derek Collins represent Central Ward

Humphrey Clemens, Helen Humphries, Rosalind Prowse, Jackie Bush, Helen Wills, represent South West Ward

TESCO CONSULTATION - Yes Tesco are back in town with their latest plan. Thursday 12th until 8.30pm and Friday 13th 10.00am - 5.00pm at the The Manor House, Dawlish.

Now they want to built a store right next door to Warren Copse (very environmentally friendly - I don't think) and right opposite the backs of the bungalows, mostly occupied by the elderly, in Lambert Close. Bad enough with the traffic already on the Exeter Road but can you imagine the extra fumes created by all the traffic coming and going, not to mention the juggernauts with their deliveries.

And Tesco say they are doing this to help the people of Dawlish. Oh Yeah?

Don't forget to tell them what you think about this latest effort.


PS No, I don't live in Lambert Close.

I see Tesco and the like are comeing to the westcountry to exploit the tourist (which they always have done, but other folk did not realize it).
We will come here for your benefit and then tell us if every little hurts.
http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=248235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=248201&contentPK=20823356&folderPk=115131&pNodeId=249131

Hey Zeds, yes it WILL make a difference! All the comments that Tesco's receive - they MUST show them to the council. SO get along there and tell them what you think! Put your comments in writing if possible, and remember that their questions will be worded to give them the answers they want! Don't mince your words.

Oh, erm, what's going on? Tesco's? In Dawlish? That'll be nice!

What's that you say? It'll destroy the character of the town? It will wipe out local businesses? It will cause greater traffic? It will have heaving great HGV's delivering all hours day and night? It will remove one of our local campsites? It will make Dawlish look like every other "Tesco-town"?

hmmm, perhaps I'd better get down to the consultation at the Manor House this Thursday/Friday and tell them what I think....

... but whatever I say it won't make a difference ill it - not really?

£86,000! That's chicken feed to Tesco. Shame on them.
DAWLISH WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugh Fearnley-Eatsitall is trying to get Tesco's to listen to his campaign for free range chicken. True to their bully-boy form Tesco's are appearing to turn a deaf ear to him too - and asking him for £86,000 to communicate with shareholders. See:
www. chickenout .tv

David, a supermarket may shake up the Co-op, but it will also DESTROY the rest of the town. Eliminate the independent bakers, and see off the butchers, greengrocers and other local shops. We ARE real when we say Tesco's - in particular Tesco's - are aggressive bullies who do not care about the local community they only care about profits! If you want to "get real", then go have a look at www.tescopoly . org That might make you realise a few facts

well at least that awful co-op store will get the shake up it needs ! tesco would be an asset to the town ,
get real people!

T- ake-over
E- very
S- ite.
C- aravans
O- ut!

Re Peter Harry's comment, is that buy one acre of land and get 40% off another that Tesco are thinking!!!

Whether you believe in solidarity with Seaton, or just fighting our own corner YOU'VE GOT TO READ THESE:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tesco-invades-seaton-ndash-closing-the-nursery-and-holiday-village-800210.html
http://www.tescopoly.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=110
http://www.geminiexeter.co.uk/Article.asp?id=621136&spid=13014
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/393927.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582876/Resort-staff-'being-made-homeless-by-Tesco'.html

I see Tesco have extended their "But one, get one free." range. At first glance I genuinely thought Tesco was going barmy.
http://www.tesco.com/themepark/

Which is the better bargain, "Buy one, get one free," or 40% off?
That was the question asked on BBC today.
I still say Lidl and Aldi have better bargains and in most cases, better quality.

Tesco Public Exhibition of their new proposals will take place: Thursday 12th June 2.30pm-8.30-pm & Friday 13th June 10am - 5pm in The Mayor's Parlour, The Manor House, Dawlish.

As per my earlier comment, to check out the land price, it may be of interest to contact the District Valuer for Exeter and South East Devon, who is contactable as follows

The Valuation Officer
Broadwalk House
Southernhay West
EXETER
EX1 1TS

Tel: 01392 606900

In my experience, £18 million sounds a lot for the site in terms of land values. To illustrate, agricultural land or undeveloped land such as Ladies Mile would be far less than prime residential land. In my area, residential land is going for over £1 million per acre, but greenfield about £750,000. Is PART of Ladies Mile 18 acres, I think not, I would say all of that site is about that much.

I would say that Tescos are, in planning terms "Land Banking" and they are probably looking to buy the whole site and sit on it till they can develop, whilst Mr Jeffrey can sit back and enjoy his fortune and not have to worry if his caravan park is full or not.

I agree with other comments made here that who would wish to holiday right behind a Tesco, especially in Tents and caravans with thin walls and also HGV's going by peoples houses on the Exeter Road all days and night and the associated pollution. Surely this location would fail the Councils sustainable development test and surely Cllr Ted Hockin would not appreciate HGVs coming past his house all day and what about the tight bend into Dawlish which has been notorious for years, can you imagine a big HGV coming around there!

The Ladies Mile proposal has not been thought through in my opinion and is worse in lots of ways than Sandy Lane. Use the info I gave Sue to help fight this awful proposal. Backing you all the way and keep going DADS!

Best wishes

Daniel

Take a look at www.ownonline.co.uk for an alternative to supermarket shopping.

Just to get the record straight - when I was quoted in the Express & Echo, yesterday re Tesco, I did point out that it was a "personal" quote and not indicative of the feeling of DADS as a whole. This seems to have been missed out, and as a result I have been misquoted.
Please also note that whilst I wholeheartedly believe that a supermarket will be detrimental for Dawlish traders and have a knock-on effect on the Dawlish community, those are my personal sentiments only. The aims of DADS are to protect Sandy Lane playing fields against development, and as a group DADS is not anti-supermarket... unless anyone wants to tell me otherwise???

Official - Tesco wanting to build on part of Lady's Mile Caravan Site. Details still to be released.

So why did the chamber of trade act like an ostrich when it came to their members and only ask about "section 106"s? and why did the town council just sit there like nodding monkeys saying they had no objections? In the meantime, the people that the two groups are supposed to represent are simply fodder destined for the big-cat supermarkets

So that ought to be a good enough reason to get backing from the TC and the Chamber of Trade to oppose planning applications from any supermarkets.
But I bet they will not raise their heads above the parapet?

Not bored, Harry, it's borne out everywhere IF we choose to look! I went on a course recently where the tutor showed:

If £1 is spent in a supermarket just 26p of it ends up in the local economy.

If £1 is spent in a local store owned by someone in the community it generates £2.57 into the local community.

On this basis supermarkets are DRAINING our local economy.

Many of you may know that I am dead against any supermarket taking up residence any where in Dawlish. We already have many that are not that far from here anyway and my reasons are too numerous to mention.
I would however like to draw readers attention to the following snippet that I have obtained from a rather large document, (500+ pages) and ties in nicely with the invitation mentioned in the thread below.

Standard political assumptioms hold that ecomomic growth, measured by GDP, will bring about commensurate increases in wellbeing. That, after all, is the promise that lis behind most modern advertising. Acquisition equals happiness. Yet, if this were true, people in the UK should be reporting sharp increases in their life satisfaction - given the rapid increases in income. The sobering reality is that British people have not reported a significant or sustained increase in their personal wellbeing for well over three decades.

Instead, there is convincing evidence that consumption growth is not delivering the wellbeing assumed by conventional theory. Indeed, it mat actually be causing harms, particularly when the pursuit of material wealth takes away from the quality of personal relationships or a proper balance between work and life.

Although the average individual in Britain has never had so much disposable income, some commentators believe we are a country in a 'social recession'. More than two million Britons are on antidepressants and a million regularly take Class A drugs. Binge drinking, violence, self-harm and vandalism have all reached record levels. Unicef research suggests that British children are the unhappiest in Europe, the most likely to feel lonely and the least likely to sit down for a family meal. Barely 40% of over 11s find their peers "kind and helpful" - the lowest score in the developed world.

And now the bit that I like involving supermarkets and also fits in nicely with farming today.
Research by the New Economics Foundation demonstrates that for every £10 spent on a local food initiative, £25 is generated for the local economy, whereas £10 spent in a supermarket only generates £14 locally. The congestion associated with food transport costs us £5 billion, 95 billion annually; removing diffuse water pollution from water systems caused by intensive agriculture adds £250 million a year to our water bills.

Apologies if I have bored anyone.

Farm to Home Service Meeting

Would you like to buy meat; poultry; eggs; vegetables & fruit locally?
Do you want to buy fresh, quality produce and see how it is grown/reared?
Do you pay unfair higher prices for food during the holiday season?
Are you paying to travel to supermarkets or for them to deliver?
Do you think Farmers get unfair prices from Supermarkets?
Is the hard-working farming community struggling?
If the farming community dies, will we lose our beautiful countryside?
Would you prefer your hard-earned money went directly to your local farmer rather than the supermarket chain?

“YES”!!

Then You are Invited to a
Farm to Home Service Meeting
“Linking Local Farmers direct with Customers
And Changing the Way People Buy Produce”

On Friday 23 May 2008
In the Council Chamber, The Manor, Dawlish
8.00pm start

Everyone Welcome - Especially Farmers!

Unable to attend or for more information:- Call Tracy on 01626 891187

Date 23 May 08
Time 20:00 - 22:00
Location Council Chamber, The Manor, Dawlish
Contact Tracy 01626 891187

I once heard that if everyone stopped buying MacDonalds for ONE WEEK the company would collapse. I don't know whether that's true or not. I wonder how long it would take to affect Tesco's?

Does anyone know what deals were struck with the football club should Tesco have got their wicked way?
And would those deals if any, still apply?

If everyone but everyone everywhere boycotted Tescos do you think they would collapse? A fantasy I know but one has to have one's dreams.

‘A new supermarket will kill the town!’ provoked the reply: ‘There is no town! Dawlish is not a town.’

What is it then?

1. A daytrip destination. Dawlish businesses serving visitors (including we visitors who happen to live here) will thrive despite / because of the new supermarket.

2. An expanding suburb of Exeter, part of the great suburb / garden city of England (Note: what was MAFF is now DEFRA, and farmers are part-time park keepers.), supplied via supermarkets of all shapes and sizes, supplied by trucks, boats and planes, supplied by agribusiness mining the planet. NB Dawlish has a Tescos already, in the Strand. This supply chain machine is probably unstoppable short of a complete collapse.

And I wonder that if the Tesco deal should go through in Dawlish on the site they are allegedly interested in for the amount of money they are allegedly willing to pay for it if the present owner of that land will become one of the richest people in Devon?

And where has Tesco got all this money to give to this one person? From their profits. And how do they make their profits? From the people who buy in their stores. And who buys in their stores? People who very likely have not got a lot of money to spare and therefore are looking for cheap(er) food.

Redistribution of wealth from the poor(er) to the already rich(er)? Surely not!

Scottish billionaire Sir Tom Hunter today took another shot at Tesco after beginning legal action to block a £150 million rights issue planned by Dobbies Garden Centre, which is majority owned by the supermarket giant.

A spokesman for Sir Tom , who also owns Dobbies’ chief rival Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “We do not believe this offer to be in the interests of all shareholders.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “We are surprised that West Coast Capital [Sir Tom's investment vehicle], which says it is committed to long-term growth at Dobbies, should seek to prevent it raising fresh funds. The capital raising was “vital” for Dobbies’ future, Tesco added.

The £150 million rights issue, earmarked to expand Dobbies existing network of 23 stores, is worth more than the company itself. Dobbies, which announced the rights issue last month, said this morning that Mr Hunter’s West Coast Capital investment vehicle has filed court papers asking for an interim order to block the rights issue. Dobbies said that it would make a “robust defence” of its plans at a court hearing.
Related Links

* Dobbies to raise £150m after profits slump

* Tesco unfazed by warning from Dobbies on profits

* Stakes raised as fight for Dobbies intensifies

West Coast Capital, which owns a 29.9 per cent stake in Dobbies, faces paying out £44 million to maintain the level of its investment and buy up extra shares made available through the rights issue.

If West Coast Capital, or any other shareholders, do not take up the 12.45 million shares that are being offered at £12 each, Tesco's 65 per cent stake could rise to 83 per cent, thereby effectively ending a battle that began last year when Sir Tom claimed that the retailer's £15 a share offer for the gardening group undervalued the company.

Dobbies said today: "The board of Dobbies hopes for an early resolution in order to allow it to concentrate its energies on running the business to deliver returns to the benefit of all shareholders."

Sir Tom is Scotland's richest person with a £1.05 billion fortune according to The Sunday TImes Rich List

John Lord’s (of yellow book Ltd) presentation on Tuesday was very professional, and Lord seemed genuinely concerned for– even fond of – the town. On ‘the vexed issue of the new supermarket’ he had a graph showing a steady descent in the Dawlish economy (starting evidently after the major descent caused by the existing supermarkets at Newton Abbott etc.), predicting a future big dip caused by the new supermarket – which he expects to come here – with a big hopeful regeneration sweep upwards to counteract both these declines. At one point he said that a good regeneration programme for a tourist area is one which the residents themselves welcome, not one designed to appeal to visitors. But then when he came to the recommendations, he spoke only of ‘attracting visitors’, and the specifics were largely cosmetic: smartening up the Lawn and the Strand – plus a Costa Coffee branch at the bowling green end of the Lawn; someone pointed out we have several coffee/tea shops already, and lots of concrete at the other end, and new mature trees to replace the chestnuts – shame! – and how long does he think they would survive vandals and neglect?

And now that Tesco has decided to throw in the towel --------re Sandy Lane, how many have noticed the conspicuousness of the councillors that would not comment on the Sandy Lane proposal because they had a prejudicial interest in it? Well they haven't now and there is still no word, so just who do they represent I wonder?

I'd like to return to the supermarket issue.

Even though Tesco have said they are no longer interested in building on Sandy Lane playing fields they have not gone away from Dawlish. Indeed they have issued a press release saying they are still looking at sites around the town.

Until they go public concerning the site they are particularly interested in, we can only surmise on the likely outcome of any planning application that they will submit.

However, if it is the site that the grapevine says it is then in sequential planning terms that is their trump card as this site is nearer the town centre than the Shutterton Bridge one that Sainsbury are interested in. Further, given that the site at Shutterton is designated as employment land (not retail) Tesco would probably have plannning legislation on their side should they go to appeal if TDC turned down their planning application.

Tesco would not be back unless they thought they had a damn good chance of getting this 'prize' of Dawlish.

Despite the above, all I seem to hear from the shakers and movers in Dawlish is how Sainsbury will be of benefit to the town etc etc. Now whether or not they will is a matter for debate but the point I am trying to make here is that it is only Sainsbury's that I hear being talked about. Tesco is not mentioned at all. It's almost as though there is some collective belief that if Tesco are ignored they will go away. They won't.

I think we'd all like to see the town centre regenerated, but the real issue is that's all they are looking at! There is more to Dawlish than the Lawn, the brook and The Strand. I understand that this is what Yellow Book were asked to focus on, so it's what they've done. But WHO gave them that brief in the first place?

I think the line is, that the public have already been consulted over the past few years so that what happened on Tuesday was a presentation of what is planned to happen as opposed to a consultation on what would we, the public, like to happen.

So, unless enough people create enough of a stink about any or all of the proposals they will happen - money and political will allowing.

What did anyone think of the Dawlish Tomorrow meeting yesterday? Are we ordinary residents going to get a say or are the Groups such as DARE, DT and DTC going to tell us what we want?

Understand Sainsbury's Planning Application will be heard by Teignbridge District Council's Development Control Committee on Monday 23rd June 2008.

Have heard that they have offered £18 million for site PROVIDED they get planning permission to build there.

They have yet to go public on their plans.

I think you should check out whether Tesco has bought or is about to buy Lady's Mile holiday village.

Bella, the VAST MAJORITY of shops in the town are independent. Flower shops, cafes, bakeries, toy shops, newsagents, giftshops, general merchandise, healthfoods, jewellery, mobile phones.... it's a lot of livelihoods that are being threatened!

Dawlish Town Council have given their approval to Sainsbury's application. Now it must go to Teignbridge District Council for final decision.

Bella - how often have you gone to town to buy a loaf of bread and then ended up popping in to a shop for other stuff? Or gone into the butchers, the deli or the greengrocers etc, for essentials, and then nipped into another shop and bought stuff there too - just because it was close by? Well once the butchers, deli, greengrocers and bakers are gone - there will be no cause for people to "pop into town for esssentials", and the other shops will also start to suffer. That's when the town becomes full of charity shops and card shops, interspersed with shops selling plastic buckets and spades. Hardly a town - more a ghost town!

A new supermarket will not cause local shops to go bust as they do not provide the majority of people's weekly grocery shopping.
It is only the baker's delhi's who are independant

£18 MILLION?????? To build on Lady's Mile!!!!! Tesco's????? Wow, I wonder what they were offering for Sandy Lane.

and local traders to the bankruptcy courts!

If Tesco build on a caravan park (Lady's Mile?) then not only will they be stealing local customers from the town traders, they will also be reducing the numbers of high-season shoppers in general... fewer campers. Ho de ho! Sir Terry's laughing all the way to the bank!

Tescos have given up on Sandy Lane - official. Now have their eye on a local caravan site - allegedly. For a great deal of money subject to planning permission - allegedly.
Like £18m - allegedly.

No news is good news!!!

Hi All,
Have you tried approaching Sport England, who are the Government body who cover sports provision and opportunities for sport and healthy living in England. They may have some comments for you and almost certainly would have to be contacted by TDC before they sell their land for their views. It may be worth you looking on the web for contact details and also possibly do a FOI request for all dealings on Sandy Lane.
Re the planning application for Sainsburys, you will have a statutory consultation period of approx 21 days to comment on the application. All of the neighbouring properties should have been written to for comments under the Town and Country Planning Act. Also, as a major application, TDC may also have to consult neighbouring authorites and a range of local statutory agencies (including DCC, Highways Agency, Sport England and several others) The application now submitted will have to be determined, but you can seek to influence the debate by writing to your local councillor, MP, MEP, Parish Council or Planning dept.
Why not also seek to get a FOI request to have a look at the Council's Economic Land requirement study (or whatever they call it) and also the Open Space Needs Assessment, as they will use this to evidence the required provision of open space or employment land and will also support policies made.
I too am greatly concerned at the impact of new development of the mahgnitude proposed on the Shutterton area of Dawlish, a more peripheral area of the town, which has not been greatly urbanised. All I say is say farewell to the beautiful environment which exists at the moment and hello to traffic and urban sprawl! As to traffic generation, you raise a valid point, when looking at the Planning Application,. TDC and DCC will have asked the applicant to do a traffic generation assessment and an traffic impact study. Their percieved numbers of traffic generation will be in this study and also their proposed or required improvements to the local road network.... Would make interesting reading to see!!!!! I bet the numbers will be far greater than on the roads at high season!!!

You are correct that development needs to be well planned and sustainable and this is the ethos of the Government Planning Policy - Planning Policy Statements 1 to 7 freely available on www.communities.gov.uk! Have a look, they are really interesting and are the basis for all planning policy decisions and objetcives in the UK!

As I have stated before, the familiy shopping provision is dire (as my family and I can testify to as very regular visitors to the area, over the last 40 odd years) but the growth needs to be properly planned and in the right location (Shutterton and Sandy Lane are not that in my opinion but as I said I am possibly biased against out of town development as I live near to the giant Merry Hill Centre which has killed our local towns)

The advantages that the respondent identifies are correct and very important, and incomes have been an issue in Dawlish for many years especially with a high level of low or seasonal employment. Shopping choice and town centre decline need to be addressed (TDC should have a Town Centre Strategy incidentally which may be worth a look at) and if correctly planned, a new supermarket could bring economic and social benefits to Dawlish but these should also be sustainable to the community, and not bring about the loss of such valuable and well used open space.

KEEP GOING DADS!!!!

Daniel

There is hope!!! This was on the website of my local paper, the Express and Star today!

Keep Going DADS!!

Daniel
Sainsbury’s shop plan sent packing

Sainsbury’s plans to build a supermarket in Wombourne have been thrown out after councillors were told the store would “bleed dry” village traders and shopkeepers in nearby towns.

Planners on South Staffordshire District Council had recommended approval of the proposals for a former industrial site in Heath Mill Road. But last night councillors voted 30 to five against the application, arguing that it was too big for Wombourne and would affect the livelihood of local traders and the vitality of the village.

Tesco is also vying to build a store in Heath Mill Road, yards from the site where Sainsbury’s, which is now likely to appeal, had hoped to start construction.

Councillor Roger Lees said a Sainsbury’s store would attract traffic from Dudley, Stourbridge and Kingswinford as well as Wombourne and surrounding villages, exacerbating an already chaotic situation.

A supermarket in the village would spark “a malaise” in Wombourne which would spread to other parts of South Staffordshire and also bleed dry Wall Heath, Kingswinford and Gornal, he warned.

He also accused Sainsbury’s of not making any car parking provision for its estimated 250 staff.

Supporting the refusal, Councillor Mary Bond said: “While I recognise that some residents like the convenience of a superstore on their doorstep, this is off-set by the longer-term impact such a development would create for Wombourne as a whole.”

Councillor Reg Williams said a supermarket would have a “monstrous” effect on shopkeepers’ trade.

Several councillors, including planning chairman Brian Cox, voiced safety concerns over the road junction at the site.