Sidmouth Rockfish delayed for flood assessment

The plans would see the Drill Hall turned into a Rockfish restaurant

Celebrity chef Mitch Tonks has delayed putting his Sidmouth restaurant proposals in front of planners.

Mr Tonks was asked by the Environment Agency to provide more detailed flood risk assessments before a planning committee considers his proposal.

The Rockfish restaurant chain owner hopes to turn the town's Drill Hall into another Rockfish.

The proposed scheme is for the former headquarters of Sidmouth's Territorial Army unit.

It was set to be debated by councillors on Tuesday, but will now be considered at a future date after the Environment Agency has asked Mr Tonks for a flood evacuation plan.

East Devon District Council, which owns the land, said it was committed, alongside Rockfish, to "achieve the redevelopment of the seafront site", and that Mr Tonks would "work hard" to get the application in front of planners soon.

The scheme, which would involve replacing an existing public toilets with fewer cubicles, had split opinion, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A total of 15 out of 24 public comments were objections, which cited the negative impact on views to Port Royal, the loss of recreation land, and loss of existing shelters and seating next to the building.

However, those in support acknowledged that redevelopment was "much needed" and recognised the potential for new jobs.

They also welcomed the removal of shelters in the area, stating that this could help decrease anti-social behaviour there.

Sidmouth Town Council supported the application, but highlighted a "missed opportunity to provide an exceptional building which would take full advantage of the views of the World Heritage Site and be a credit to Sidmouth".

The town council added that it did not feel that only two proposed unisex toilets were sufficient to replace the current public conveniences.

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