AN influential community group, which for nearly a decade, has stood up to developers and fought to retain the Avenues architectural heritage could fold– just when they are needed most.

AN influential community group, which for nearly a decade, has stood up to developers and fought to retain the Avenues' architectural heritage could fold- just when they are needed most.

Save the Avenues from Despoliation (SAD) was set up in 2000 in response to a sudden surge in new building developments that threatened to change the area 'for the worse.'

The organisation has real clout - its design statement and the views of its members have time and again led to a rethink by developers.

Its influence within the community has not been lost on East Devon planners either - their AGM on October 6 has attracted guest speakers including senior planner Ed Freeman, conservation architect Stephen Gray and Avenues developer John Fowler.

But, despite developers circling over Rolle College campus in Douglas Avenue, eyeing it for potential development, and that the adjacent playing fields recently being bought by Eagle One investments, without new blood the organisation could fold.

In the agenda ahead of SAD's eighth AGM, chairman Pat Attard issued a rallying call for members to seek new recruits.

She said: "...a necessary and crucial part of the business ...is to elect or re-elect an active committee to take SAD forward in the challenging months ahead.

"This year we have a particular problem - six of your committee will be standing down and we have no nominations for chairman for the coming year.

"...we have an additional problem in that our vice chairman, unfortunately, is not able to put himself forward for chairman, which is the normal procedure, due to the pressure of other commitments.

"...without more new input into the association, this is a situation that will continue to occur and needs some drastic action, if SAD is to survive.

"SAD faces the distinct possibility of having to fold up...we really do need some new blood."

The AGM is at The Elizabeth Hall, at 7pm, on October 6 . If you are interested in having a say on the future of the Avenues, call membership secretary John Coulson on: (01395) 263087.