... A FORUM TO STIMULATE DEBATE ... ... JUST ADD A COMMENT AT ANY ENTRY BELOW... ... FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOWN AND VALLEY ...

Wednesday 6 September 2017

Knowle relocation project: PegasusLife appeal >>> deadline today for submissions >>> the issues

As the SOS site reminds us, today is the last day to submit submissions to the appeal over the Knowle application:
Knowle: Deadline for representations on Pegasus Life plans is this WEDNESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2017 | Save Our Sidmouth


The issues are wide and various.

To quote from correspondents over the last week:

> Pegasus are disingenuous in their efforts to evade providing affordable housing - as required in legislation and in the Local Plan and by any rational social ethic.


> The massing of the proposal overshadowing the AONB and the town approach is unacceptable.

None of the appeal docs show the impact of the development on other properties, notably Old Walls and, more widely for the town; for instance, none show the impact on the skyline and Conservation Areas east and west of the site; the photomontages showing impact on the southern public park are  inadequate and fail to show the full impact as seen from the summerhouse and upper park area.

> With no all-night nurse or medical care provided on site but only arranged care-packages the development cannot be considered C2; it is only a glorified high-end retirement village in a town which is over-supplied with retirement properties, second homes and private care homes. The proposed development contravenes the Balanced Communities Policy, the town's need being instead for more low-cost and social housing, especially for young locals.

> The subsequent removal of the original Chief Planning Officer and, from the DMC, of the two Conservative councillors who voted against the proposal as well as the Council's need to sell the site to fund its re-location all raise concerns about the Council's independence and intention to defend the refusal. 

And lastly, it has been noted:

> PegasusLife was founded in 2012 as a subsidiary of Oaktrree Capital Management - $101bn company high-yielding (19%) from senior debts and distressed debts. 

> CEO Howard Phillips was previously reprimanded for persuading retired people to trade in the equity in their home for the lease of a retirement flat.

No comments: