Silver Street site: Stags Estate Agents make their position clear

A piece of land off Silver Street, on which Honiton Cattle Market has operated for many years, is currently sitting with a big question mark hanging over it.

It has become apparent that the site is up for sale and property developers, Churchill, have proposed to build retirement flats there - a proposal that will be discussing at a consultation being held at Mackarness Hall from 5-7pm this evening.

Residents who have questions or concerns over the plans - which are in the preliminary stages, the land having not yet been bought - are encouraged to attend for an opportunity to have their opinions heard.

As a client and user of Honiton Livestock Market, Stags Estate Agents, felt it was appropriate to clarify their position regarding the recent developments.

Partner at the firm, Andrew Luxton, said: "We are tenants of the market site and have been in dispute with the freehold owner for a considerable period of time regarding our lease terms and the market operations carried out

"Despite strongly defending our position we have been put in an untenable position resulting in us reluctantly having to agree to terminate our lease with effect from 31 May, 2021.

"It is important to us that people are aware of the background to this position.

"Our lease of the market was for many years East Devon District Council who themselves had a lease from the freeholder.

"The council always supported the market, valuing the benefits it brings to the town and farming community.

"Along with supporting our use of the market, they also supported us against the freeholder's actions.

"However, the council sold their interest to the freeholder unbeknown to us, and as a result our position became untenable.

"We strongly feel the action by the council was wrong and purely a commercial decision without providing us an opportunity to purchase their interest.

"As a result, we were faced with a fait accompli so were unable to do anything about it.

"We understand that the freeholder wishes to redevelop the site and expect planning notices to appear in the near future.

"The operation of the market will remain unaffected until the end of May 2021 and nothing will change in the mean time."

East Devon District Council responded: "This is a transaction that happened some years ago in 2015 and Stags were consulted at the time.

"We are not aware of the problem that appears to exist between Stags and the freeholder nor why the council is being criticised bearing in mind that the matter seems to be one of contention between Stags and the owner and the council has for some time had no interest in the livestock market site."