SoulofDawlish's Posts

@A Frame , Our complaints were regarding the expectation of Dawlish Town Councillors that the toilet block should have remained open (per seasonal requirements)) until the successful conclusion of the tender for the bike hire business and the subsequent conversion and reconfiguration of the block to provide bike hire and toilets. First, for the avoidance of doubt, a recent potted history... This ...

Well said Ken. And the TDC Planning Committee is beginning to see things that way also. This is the opening text of the refusal notice issued on 30th November for one of the smallest developments on the DA2 site at Dawlish (ref 14/01577/MAJ - an Outline Application for 35 homes) despite the recommendation for approval by Teignbridge's most senior planning officer: "1. Policy DA2 of the Teignbridge ...

An excellent piece on the growing sewerage problems affecting Secmaton Lane on Simon Bates's Radio Devon programme this morning . Residents John Pollard, Roger Anderson and Margaret Cloak were recorded talking to the RD reporter about the issues, followed by a SB interview with Cllr Martin Wrigley. South West Water did not wish to appear on the programme but sent a statement saying they are ...

A problem I know the bigger builders have been working hard to help people overcome. Some may feel such assistance is worth the cost of any 'new home premium' on its own - but if it's a 'fixer-upper' that is sought after, best get saving. It will be interesting also to see just how effective George Osborne's 'builders' budget' will turn out to be in helping provide the leg-up many would need to ...

You right about the poor take up of employment land, Lynne. The 1.8 hectares behind Sainsbury's designated for employment has only had a small proportion of the land developed since planning approval was granted in 2008, with only speculative interest in the remainder. Futhermore many of the sites on the Shutterton Industrial Estate are under-utilised and/or in need or redevelopment. Despite such ...

... waiting for a train on Maidenhead Station, platform 3. (Photo courtesy Lydia Karpinska, sculptor) Gary Taylor

For information, below Dawlish Town Council's response to the NW Secmaton Lane Draft Development Framework Public Consultation item on last Wednesday's meeting agenda: 1                      the infrastructure, particularly the link road, needs to be constructed before the houses are built; 2                      Secmaton Lane must not be used for any construction traffic or any access to new ...

Is it just my imagination or have there been more bonfires than usual recently? Gary Taylor

Although I have yet to look at the detail it would seem that a bun fight is developing over who should get to build the care home. So neither this scheme nor that submitted last month for land in DA2 at Gatehouse Farm conform to the Draft Development Framework Plan - about which the public is currently invited to respond. Gary Taylor

Lynne, Unless there are some surprises in the documents available tomorrow, I believe Temporary SANGS will provide a staged solution. Gary Taylor

Thanks ZIGGY, but I've just paid £2 for a hard copy. Lots of good stuff - hope the paying public enjoy all of the effort that has gone into the 8 day event, whoever is running the show.

A significant extension to Meadow Park (Policy DA3) was considered for inclusion in the Teignbridge Local Plan prior to the deletion of the policy from the LP Submission Document in 2012. According to the LP Representations Summary Document of 2013 there were no supporters of the policy. The Local Plan - or Plan Teignbridge as it is now officially known - having passed through public examination ...

Agreed OS, the Dawlish Air Show is a truly magnificent spectacle of which the town, the organisers and the aviators can be rightly proud. With the weather set fair to middling and with a special Air Show railway timetable laid on for the day we can again expect bumper crowds. High tide is at 11.24am - good job the new grandstand is ready! It's a free public Airshow with much of the cost covered by ...

"Extra SANGS? Improved accessibility? Additional community facilities? A joined up road network? Well paid full-time jobs? These are the type of things that could at least mitigate the effect of additional housing and help preserve the character of our town." I think Woodcock that your view of the people we strive to represent is a particularly narrow one. Gary Taylor

Not a moment too soon! Thanks Ziggy. Gary Taylor

May you never have a puncture, Netiquette. Gary Taylor

@Netiquette , Yes, I am in favour of the development of this long-neglected site - however while the application had a lot to recommend it (including the retention of the more salvageable parts of the buildings) the majority view was that the scheme amounted to over-development, with a knock-on effect on amenity. Having spoken to neighbours on all sides, most seem to be generally very supportive ...

I am sorry you feel that way about Martin Wrigley and me, OurSoul (and Woodcock) - but your comments could not be further from the truth. By the way, the auction sale signs you see in the fields does not refer to the land as you suggest, but to the crop. Say no more. Gary Taylor

@Lynne , In December 2013 Richard Weeks approached Martin Wrigley, Cockwood Residents Association Chairman (later a Lib Dem District Council candidate for Dawlish ) after having contacted serving Dawlish District Councillors to no effect. Martin worked with Richard to set up a meeting with Anne Marie Morris later in 2014. No help was forthcoming from AMM at that time - but it was always hoped that ...

@Brenda , I have offered an olive branch to contributor Doc, but so far he has chosen not to respond. Now if you would excuse me, this idiot has some last minute leafleting to do - prior to a very busy day tomorrow. Are you prepared to shake virtual hands with me before the contest? Gary Taylor

Absolutely correct, 1263 - although I believe you mean to address your comments to my right honourable friend, OurSoulOfDawlish. Gary Taylor

Michael, I appreciate the analogy, but I disagree that the logic can be applied locally. This is probably the wrong thread to rekindle the argument about how a proposal to switch housing allocation sites by our Dawlish Independent Teignbridge District Councillor (supported by Conservative District Councillors) ended up with Dawlish having to shoulder 350 more houses than is documented in the ...

"A poor cover version of one of Margaret Thatcher's 1980's hits" is how Nick Clegg described Right to Buy. And a pointer surely to the back catalogue of divisive Tory policies awaiting re-release upon re-election.

Thank you for your explanation, Michael - and for your sound advice to anyone who may serve (or may wish to serve) on a Parish or Town Council in the future. Gary Taylor PS And, for what it's worth, in reflecting what I believe would be the opinion of a very large number of the people in Dawlish, I consider the committee - on balance - got it right.

Yes, and the rules of 'purdah' will apply. "The pre-election period regulates the conduct of public bodies in the weeks preceding an election. It calls for caution over decisions which could have a bearing on matters relevant to the election, decisions for action with a long-term character (including appointments), and policy decisions on which the newly elected body could be expected to take a ...

Michael, what you propose sounds most impractical. The measures coming forward will - as I understand you - be from one party alone, with deals made 'on the hoof'. This can lead only to fudge and confusion - a loss of stability and confidence at home and abroad with disastrous consequences. Coalition may be viewed by some as a marriage of convenience, however such an arrangement has brought ...

Point taken, Mcjrpc. A little less hyperbole and a liitle more humility is in order. Mrs C makes a valid point - and although we believe our policies, our political positioning and our people will all help us win seats, we do have a few gaps in the field at local level. I would add at ths point that although the last 5 years in office in coalition have been a bruising experience, it has shown the ...

@Mrs C , It would seem that the more you comment, the more you underline the fact that you are indeed - as you have suggested - way too cynical. Peel back any political layering as you wish, the fact remains that Warren Farm farmer, Richard Weeks, is being abominably treated by Teignbridge through the threat of compulsory purchase - and only a change to the balance of power within our District ...

Lynne, I have also been told that the extended Carhaix Way will not be open to through traffic once the building work is complete. I'm not sure what type of restriction is planned - smart bollards perhaps (to allow the passage of emergency or service vehicles) or maybe just signage indicating "access only". Route 1 - the new link road. The only safe and sensible option for all construction ...

@Mcjrpc It might be considered that the proposed link road between the new housing estate at Gatehouse Farm (DA2) and the roundabout on the A379 by Sainsbury's would be a rare case where Compulsory Purchase powers were in the public interest in order to provide essential local infrastruture (should the same road not come forward by negotiation) - but no. It is apparent from the staff manning the ...

Thanks Bob. I look forward in hope to the matter coming before the TDC Planning Committee.

Ah, the joys of the open road! Shame about the view, mind...

Thanks Lynne. The DPNP#2 Steering Group Terms of Reference allow for 6 Town Councillors and 6 members of the public. While there would appear to be no provision in the ToRs for the removal of any public member of the Steering Group, Town Councillors who are not restanding for election on May 7th (or those who are not returned to office) would - unless I am mistaken - be precluded from continuing ...

For the benefit of those 1000-plus people who have signed the paper petition and who have been following events on this discussion thread, this email was received yesterday by 38 degrees signatories: Dear Friends, Thank you for signing the petition 'Immoral tactics of Teignbridge District Council'.  We will be handing this petition in to the the offices of the Department of Local Government & ...

This lady perhaps? Nicola.Bulbeck@Teignbridge.gov.uk The Chief Executive is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the paid staff of the Council. The role of Chief Executive is a full time appointment. Post holders are selected on merit, against objective criteria, following public advertisement. They are appointed by the whole Council. As head of the paid service, ...

Thank you Howard. Just out of interest, one of the least expensive options for a 'Dawlish Avoiding Line' would run through Dawlish Warren, bisecting the new housing area DA2 and going around the back of the town over Dawlish Water. Reason enough to keep the pressure on maintaining and improving the existing line?

At last... a Judith Chalmers tune we can all be happy dancing to! ;-) PS Some great train and plane related stuff also on this link - which reminds me, I must get hold of a copy of the 2014 Dawlish Airshow DVD for my non-PC dad for Christmas!!

Actually JC, it was your sidekick Dorian that I had more in mind when I remarked about unfair criticism. Still, if the cap fits...

@Lynne , Sorry to have missed meeting you and Margaret Swift in Dawlish today - perhaps sometime soon? @Kaz , The TDC Executive report of the 10th December 2013 puts it in plainer English: "The planning obligation agreement (S106) with Shutterton Park Ltd provides £436,000 funding to deliver the Coastal Park and a further contribution of £264,000 to the ongoing management and maintenance of the ...

... and a cracking job that's been made of repairing it! More investment needed to keep this iconic line going into the far-distant future. While nightmareish for some residents, such pictures can only help keep such funding matters in the eye of the public - and in the face of the politicians.