Ottery St Mary Rural by-election hustings – how candidates tackled Straitgate issue

EDDC is holding a by-election on 20 September 2018 for the Ottery St Mary Rural Ward.

Hustings were held at West Hill Village Hall on 14 September. The issue of Straitgate was raised. Here’s how two candidates responded, as recorded by an attendee. The transcript speaks for itself:

Geoff Pratt (Independent) spoke first.

He was opposed to a Straitgate quarry on various grounds including increased flood risk, traffic and dust.

John Sheaves (Conservative)

I don’t know enough about it to give a view. Why would the quarry affect flooding? There was a big quarry at Foxenholes, West Hill for many years with many dirty dusty lorries. Things are better now. The Blackhill Quarry restoration has been masterful. My jury is out on this one. Quarrying techniques have improved dramatically. Exeter Road traffic is the issue; lorries going out of the top end is not an issue.

Tony Howard said Straitgate was a matter for DCC, not EDDC.

Margaret Hall (Chair) asked if any District Councillors wished to comment.

Cllr Roger Giles said that the matter would be determined by DCC, but that EDDC is a consultee and would give its views. Addressing the issue of flooding Roger Giles said that there had been terrible flooding in Thorne Farm Way, Ottery and at Salston, Cadhay and Coombelake on 30 October 2008 - coming up to the 10th anniversary - caused by 4 streams originating at Straitgate Farm. The fear was that quarrying at Straitgate would interfere with the water table and make future flooding more likely. Roger Giles was interrupted by Cllr Philip Skinner, who said he had come to hear the panel speak - not Roger Giles.

A member of the public asked about why the EDDC planning committee had approved an application for industrial expansion at Blackhill Quarry on the East Devon pebblebed heaths.

John Sheaves

I am not familiar with the situation. I have the utmost respect for the way the Clinton Estate manages their estate. It is exemplary.

A member of the public said the question was not about Clinton Estates it was about the EDDC DMC decision in the face of considerable public opposition.

John Sheaves

It’s difficult to be well informed about Straitgate because you cannot get access to the documentation.

Margaret Hall

It’s online.