Dire Straits guitarist wades into planning row

A founder member of Dire Straits, one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, has spoken at a planning inquiry into a 1,200-home development near his home in Devon.

David Knopfler made a speech at the inquiry being held in Newton Abbot after he was referred to as a "deep-pocketed rock star" in opening remarks by Lord Banner KC, the barrister representing the developer, on Tuesday.

Knopfler, who left the band in 1980, described himself as a pensioner living in a semi-detached house who had been misrepresented throughout his life.

The planning inquiry is looking into questions about the impact of the development on Wolborough Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Newton Abbot.

Knopfler said Lord Banner "dismissively suggested the objectors included a local rock star, perhaps hoping to conjure the image of a spoilt multi-millionaire living in a large manor house with no interest in those in need of housing".

Addressing the planning inquiry being held at Teignbridge District Council offices, Knopfler said: "I would just like the record to show that while I'm proud of my lifelong achievements as a rather more humble musician, the reality is I'm a 73-year-old pensioner, an economics graduate and former social worker living in a semi-detached, who happened to spend three years in a rock band almost fifty years ago."

He described the development as "a textbook definition of urban blight".

He added: "I've spent my entire life being misrepresented like this so it came as no surprise that this would be thrown opportunistically into their claim."

Knopfler set up the band with brother Mark and played on hit singles including Sultans of Swing but left the band before it achieved global success with tracks like Money for Nothing and Walk of Life.

Lord Banner is one of the country's top planning lawyers who has been involved in several high profile cases including opposition to the Chinese "mega embassy" in London.

In his opening remarks on Tuesday he told the hearing: "The principle of development has been extremely controversial amongst the local community who are reported to include a deep-pocketed rock star."

The developer Vistry says Wolborough Fen, which is home to a number of rare plant species, will not be affected by water running off the development.

Objectors say it will and claim Vistry's investigations have been inadequate.

Rows over development at the site have been going on for more than a decade.

The planning inquiry is due to end on 12 August with a decision to be issued at a later date.

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