Sell-off denied

RUMOURS that The Royal Avenue car park on the Exe Estuary has been sold off to Asda in a secret deal has been categorically denied by district council bosses.In an internet blog posted this month, a blogger wrote he had received some 'very disturbing information' from a council 'insider' - that the Estuary car park on The Royal Avenue had been sold off 'behind people's backs'.The blogger said his source, called 'Merlin', had found out that Asda 'in the last few days' had bought the estuary site - 'or at least a substantial part of it.'The blogger also added that he had 'every reason to believe' the source was reliable - because 'Merlin' had previously tipped him off about Asda pulling out of their plans on estuary six weeks before it was officially announced.The blog also said that the council's Land Terrier system, that lists district council land assets in 'land parcels' no longer showed The Royal Avenue car park, land parcel SY999813.But the system did continue to show all the other car parks owned by EDDC.The blog said: "It seems unpleasant little men in cheap suits are busily flogging your town and your inheritance and birthright behind your back in a secret deal with a revolting foreign corporation. Meanwhile, their friends at EDDC hang around schools for at least as long as it takes for a photo call... they tell the kids about democracy... and while all the time the council is scheming and plotting to steal our town... from them, pocket the cash and run."An EDDC spokesperson said there was no truth to the blog, and said: "Following comments made on the blog, I can confirm that EDDC has not sold any land at the Exe Estuary. The reference quoted is an Ordinance Survey reference and does not refer to our Land Terrier system."l The blog now appears to have been taken down.