Dire Straits co-founder David Knopfler may have only played rhythm guitar in the band for three years, but he’s been battling with the persona of being a “deep-pocketed rock star” for nearly half a century. Knopfler recently appeared at a planning inquiry into a 1,200-home development near his abode in Devon, which is investigating the impact the development would have on a Site of Special Scientific Interest near Newton Abbot. In the opening re…