Devon’s most significant political shake-up for half a century was on Thursday (July 16) announced by the government leading to changes that will result in the end of East Devon District Council and Devon County Council, and more power for Exeter as the authority expands. The Government revealed its decision on the future structure of local government in Devon, confirming four unitary authorities will be created by local government reorganisation for the county. The changes mean a host of councils will be abolished and fewer but larger versions created in their place, with some of the newer councils taking on critical services…
Browsing: Sidford
District planners will next week decide if new homes can be built in two towns and a village in East Devon, amid scores of objections from residents. Almost 200 homes could be approved in East Devon next week as planners debate a trio of sites, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard. The biggest application that East Devon District Council’s planning committee will consider at its next meeting (Tuesday, May 12) is in Ottery St Mary, where a scheme of up to 140 homes has been proposed. Hundreds of comments have been submitted against the proposal on land adjacent to Gerway…
These photos and video show how floodwater from overnight torrential rain amid storm Chandra brought much of East Devon and Exeter to a standstill. When commuters woke on Tuesday morning (January 27), many found their towns and villages cut off after deep floodwater made main routes and back roads impassable. Rescuers helped pluck a man and his dog to safety after they were trapped upstairs in their Newton Poppleford home, cut-off by floodwater. And mountain rescuers helped an 85-year-old woman in Otterton suffering a suspected heart attack when floodwater prevented an ambulance from reaching the village. Motorists struggled through a…
An ‘aggressive’ gang of youths who vandalised a Sidmouth beauty spot has resulted in police slapping New Year’s Eve sanctions and arrest powers on the town. Police said around 100 loud youths drinking alcohol and acting aggressively in Connaught Gardens on Tuesday night (December 30) caused criminal damage. Greenhouses in Connaught Gardens were targeted by vandals who smashed glass windows protecting the succulents and plants. One visitor to the gardens said several large rocks had been thrown through the windows of the cactus house, ‘lots’ of bins in the gardens were damaged and beer cans were ‘everywhere’. Police broke up…
Watch out Kylie and Wham! Sidmouth has released its own Christmas hit this year as the town once again rallies behind the town’s festive Rotary appeal. A Devon town’s very own Christmas song was used to kickstart a community group’s charity drive that will see it deliver around 1,400 presents to those in need, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard. The upbeat and catchy Wrapped in Sidmouth song – which was penned and produced by one of the town’s longstanding councillors, Stuart Hughes (Conservative, Sidmouth Sidford) – has added an extra festive element to Sidmouth Rotary Club’s seasonal appeal. The…
An East Devon man has died after a van crashed into a wall in Sidbury, sparking police to appeal for witnesses. Police want to hear from anyone who saw a crash on the A3375 at Sidbury, where a white transit van hit a wall on Wednesday afternoon (November 26). The 53-year-old driver of the van died from his injuries and his next of kin were informed. Police said the man had been driving from the direction of Honiton towards Sidbury when the van left the road and crashed. Forensic officers closed the road for several hours for investigations of the…
A pensioner pedestrian left with life-threatening injuries after a crash near Sidmouth has died in hospital, sparking a police appeal. Police are appealing for witnesses after it was reported a black Range Rover and a 75-year-old man were involved in a crash in Under Lane, at Harcombe, near Sidmouth, shortly after 3pm on Monday, November 17. Officers want to hear for anyone who saw what happened, or with dashcam footage of the crash. Police closed roads for several hours while forensic officers were at the scene. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a fatal road traffic…
Supermarket giant Aldi has set its sights on moving into Sidmouth to open a new store as part of UK-wide expansion plans. And the company has announced it could open another supermarket in Exeter, in addition to its three other stores already in Topsham, Alphington and Pinhoe. Now the supermarket giant is on the hunt for suitable development sites in Sidmouth and Exeter to build a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces, close to a main road. Sidmouth and Exeter were chosen as new store locations after the public was invited to pinpoint areas where the supermarkets…
Police are hunting for the driver of an ‘unidentified’ vehicle after a motorcyclist suffered serious injuries following a crash East Devon on Monday afternoon (June 23). The emergency services were called to Colyford, East Devon, after a silver BMW, ridden by a man in his 60s, was involved in a crash with a white Peugeot 208 on the A3052, at Boshill Cross. Police said they were ‘particularly keen’ to hear from the driver of an ‘unidentified vehicle’ seen at the time of the crash. The seriously injured motorcyclist was taken to hospital and his next of kin was contacted. The…
Community stories from East Devon and Exeter, VE Day anniversary events, photos, celebrations, news in brief from across the district. If you have community news to share, email: newsdesk@eastdevonnews.co.uk East Devon Council coffers have been boosted after the auction sale of two blocks of East Devon public toilets and village land. Auctioneers on May 1 sold public loos at Sidford Cross, in the High Street for £68,000, fetching more than the guide price of £40,000. While public toilets in Marsh Road, Seaton, on at a guide price of £20,000, sold for £60,000. Freehold land at New Way, Woodbury Salterton had…
