east devon

Elderly woman seriously injured in collision

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 03/24/2014 - 3:02pm

Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision in Seaton which left an elderly pedestrian with serious injuries. Emergency services were called to Harbour Road around 10.50am yesterday morning (23 March) after a Mercedes car was in collision with an 89-year-old woman near to the junction with Bay Court.

The elderly woman, from Seaton, sustained serious head, leg and arm injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by air ambulance. She remains in hospital in a serious condition. The car driver, a 90-year-old woman from east Devon, was uninjured in...

Up to £1,000 business rates relief in East Devon

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Wed, 03/12/2014 - 11:36am

Around 800 businesses across East Devon are set to benefit from a scheme that will give them rate relief of up to £1,000 for the next two years. The scheme, adopted by East Devon District Council, is designed to give local retail businesses of a rateable value of less than £50,000 a chance to compete on a more level playing field with internet retailers. Businesses to benefit include shops, post offices, restaurants, cafes, pubs and garden centres. Councillor David Cox, portfolio holder for finance, said: “A £1,000 discount will make a huge difference to small businesses and local traders...

NHS 111 rolls out across Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 03/10/2014 - 5:27pm

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has launched the NHS111 service across the whole of Devon (Monday 10 March).

The service was initially launched in part of the county in September last year, but now the remaining areas will also switch to 111.

NHS 111 has already replaced the previous NHS Direct and from today it replaces GP out-of-hours telephone numbers in throughout the remainder of the county (Mid Devon and North Devon has already switched).

GP practices have changed their answer phone messages and websites to direct patients to call...

Local people must lobby for more housing says National Housing Federation

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Thu, 03/06/2014 - 10:45am

Local people must say ‘Yes to Homes’ to repair the South West housing market according to a report by the National Housing Federation (NHF). The report by the NHF, an industry body which represents the providers of affordable housing in the UK, claims that a shortage of affordable homes resulting in rising house prices means that the South West housing market is now at ‘breaking point’. The NHF now ask that people lobby their local councillors to say ‘Yes to Homes’ as the South West’s new build rate is failing to keep up with demand in the region with less than two thirds (62%) of the new...

Public consultation for Sidmouth beach plan

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 03/03/2014 - 4:47pm

Sidmouth's Beach Management Plan project team are holding a drop-in session at Sidmouth Sailing club next Thursday, 6 March, from 3pm to 7pm.

The public are invited to drop in at any time between 3pm and 6.30pm to learn more about the initiative, to give their views and provide local knowledge and information so the project team is properly informed.

The aims of the EDDC-sponsored project are to make sure Sidmouth's sea defences are performing as expected and to consider what needs to be done to reduce the rate of erosion at East Beach.

Before the project team can...

EDDC wins pig farm appeal

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 02/24/2014 - 5:42pm

East Devon District Council has successfully defended its decision to refuse planning permission for a pig unit comprising two buildings, slurry store, attenuation pond and access track at Collyhead Farm, Venn Ottery.

In a decision announced today (Monday 24 February), Planning Inspector Pete Drew concludes that the proposed development “would harm the character and appearance of this designated landscape”.

The Council refused Mr Chris Down’s application (revision of 10/1954/MFUL) in September 2012.

Commenting on the outcome of an appeal by Mr Down, the Chairman of...

Watch winter wildlife on the Wetlands

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 02/14/2014 - 10:20am

East Devon District Council says nature lovers, bird watchers and anyone looking for a free fun day out in the fresh air at a beautiful location should flock to the Axe Estuary Wetlands on Saturday 22 February for Winter Wildlife on the Wetlands, between 8am and 3pm.

The day will start, subject to suitable conditions, with a demonstration by the Axe Estuary Ringing Group - a fantastic chance to see birds up close.

There will be Guides in the Hides all day – experienced birdwatchers who will help you polish up on your bird identification skills, whatever your level of...

East Devon Clear up to take at least six weeks

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Tue, 02/11/2014 - 4:26pm

Repair and clear-up work after damage from the latest storms is expected to take at least six weeks according to East Devon District Council.

Collapsing beach huts, damaged seafronts and a washed away ice cream parlour have all been handled by Council staff in the recent work to clear the damage left by weeks of severe weather conditions.

However, with more strong gales and heavy rain expected to hit the county late tonight and throughout the day tomorrow bringing the risk of further damage, the clear-up work may take even longer than expected.

The Met Office’s...

East Devon council consider relocation

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/06/2014 - 4:53pm

East Devon District Council is considering relocating its headquarters to Skypark.

The decision, taken by cabinet on 5 February, will now be put forward as the preferred location to full council on 26 February. If approved, officers will be asked to carry out further research into the viability of the move. Marketing of Knowle would start promptly.

This is an important step forward and a further report would then be brought back to cabinet and full council before a final decision is made in the summer.

Back in November cabinet shortlisted four out of 15 possible...

Reprieve for closure-threatened school

Closure-threatened Musbury Primary School has been given a new lease of life.

The school is to federate with Sidmouth Primary School whose executive head, Paul Walker, has been helping to run Musbury for the past term.

The future of the school has been in doubt since pupil numbers dropped to single figures.

The previous head left the school six months ago and it began a management partnership with Sidmouth.

Now that will be formalised in the new Two Valleys Federation which will come into operation after half-term.

Pupil numbers have already started...

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