John Watkins, of Ness Drive, Shaldon, writes:

Imagine an advert not so far in the future by Greedygit developers: Superb detached three to six bedroom properties on the former Shaldon approach public golf course. This magnificent  development has properties priced at £350,000 to £1.5 million, with wonderful sea and estuary views, standing on an elevated position adjoining the RSPB sanctuary. please send for a full colour brochure and look out for phase 2 on the former Coastal View caravan park.

Could not happen? look at application 11/03764/cou on the council website and offices for a 100-seat restaurant on land designated as countryside. although the council admit the plans are a departure from normal planning rules, they do not say it is because they are selling it. they have already given themselves Class A3 use [restaurant and takeaway] on this site, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and coastal preservation.

My main point is that if the council think they can get away with this who knows what's next? it's very easy to make money if you can grant yourself change of use and planning to do what you want as the council are doing with the Ness Stables site, but it's a slippery old road to doing just what you like.

Witness Dunmore Court on the Ness. and if you do not know about that ask a friend who has lived in the area for a few years.

So confident are the council of getting the plans for Ness Stables through  that the council's estate agent's sign has been taken  down and I am sure the applicant and his financial backers are delighted to go ahead with the purchase once they have the planning application approved.

If you would like to object to these plans the case officer is Tom Wilson, direct line 01626 215791 REF11/03764/cou. you can view the plans on the council website at or at the council offices at Forde house, Newton Abbot.

get your objections in as soon as you can.

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