PEOPLE have until July 2 to look at changes to Mid Devon District Council's plan for the future - including how losing the protected bypass route would affect the area.

Last month Crediton Town Council opposed Devon County Council's proposal to abandon the protected route.

This month its general purposes committee repeated that, opposition, saying no development should take place on the Pedlarspool site without a link road to Creedy Corner.

Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking said there were "big environmental and heritage arguments against building in that valley, including the effect on Shobrooke Park."

Members had been looking at the consultation papers arising from the Planning Inspector's examination in April into the district council's Allocation and Infrastructure Development Plan.

It was said that although the document was "quite difficult to get to grips with", it was worth looking at thoroughly because of changes in the way development infrastructure (mainly roads) would be paid for and making a balance between the level of infrastructure that might be needed and affordability of the community infrastructure levy for developers (what they pay towards roads, etc).

A compliment for the district council came from Cllr Brookes-Hocking, who has previously criticised it for not making changes evident. This time the amended document shows all the changes, so it was easy to see what had changed.

The committee accepted the offer of a district council planning officer to visit the council to explain the changes, hoping one would be available for the June 22 town council meeting.

The committee also noted that the Government would be reviewing the number of houses to be built in an area.

Cllr Brookes-Hocking commented that abandoning the bypass route was "a big thing". What were the implications for the Pedlarspool site, should there be development to the north of the route, would it be good for the Rugby Club to move there? Would any road for Pedlarspool be "just another through road" and not a bypass?

Cllr Joyce Harris, committee chairman, added: "Even though no-one takes any notice, the town council has always made the point that the infrastructure, the roads now, are not sufficient, but we have always been ignored."

Cllr Harris added that the town council had always said a link road to Lords Meadow Industrial Estate was not enough. It would only help a part of the town. "If you have a link road, you need something on the other end of it," she said.

Cllr Richard Adams added: "The way things are going there has to be development to fund the road."

Cllr Brookes-Hocking asked what kind of development was viable, acceptable and needed for Crediton?

RECYCLING

Another document in front of the committee was the district council's Draft Strategic Partnership, Sustainable Community Strategy Consultation document.

On the Transport section, Cllr Brookes-Hocking commented that better bus services were needed. "Not investing enough at the right time brings something that is not really what is needed for the town and area," she said. One instance was the "Tesco bus" which, it has been reported, was not well used because its route was wrong.

Recycling was part of the document, reducing the amount going to landfill was welcomed, with councillors wanting to spend more time on recycling, such as confusion over cardboard and plastic bottles and why could more items be taken in recycling banks at Exeter supermarkets than at Crediton?

It was hoped a district council environmental officer would be able to talk about the whole recycling issue at a future meeting.

GARDENS

Council chairman and town Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, had gained six entries for the council's Floral Crediton competition whilst he was on the town council stand at Crediton Farmers' Market.

He hoped each of the 11 other town councillors would each recruit at least one entry. He also hoped that anyone who knew a person with a good garden in the town would persuade them to enter.

Entry forms were available at Crediton Library on Belle Parade, at Adams Home Hardware on the High Street, Crediton Garden Centre at Barnstaple Cross, Tucker's Garden Centre on Lords Meadow and the offices of the Crediton Country Courier.

It was reported there was half a plot vacant in the town council allotments, one complaint had been received about a bonfire on an allotment and broken taps at the Exhibition Road allotments would be repaired.

Floral Crediton Working Group, which organised things such as the town entrance displays, some of the hanging baskets and flower tubs in the town, had agreed to remove tulips, to be planted elsewhere, that had been planted around trees on the town square, weed those areas and restore the surface.

END BITS

A letter of complaint had been received about the amount of dust and grit that had been blown about when a Devon Air Ambulance landed on the town square.

While appreciating the problem, it was commented that anyone having, say, a heart attack in that area would be glad the helicopter could land there.

It appears that plans for a Tourist Information Point to be opened at The Book Shop at 100 High Street were progressing towards opening in July.

Cllr Bob Wright asked councillors to think about local implications if women in Crediton had to go to a birthing centre at Okehampton to have their babies, returning home shortly after. Comments were needed in July.

Cllr Harris had received a complaint about the state of Crediton Cemetery. She asked other councillors to have a look before this was discussed at the next general purposes committee, on July 6.

PLANNING

There were no objections to the following planning applications: two storey extension at 10 George Hill following removal of garage; conversion of roof space at St Mary's, Peoples Park Road, with rooflight and dormer.

Listed Building and Advertisement consent for painted lettering on the south and east elevations of the Old Town Hall, High Street.

This was to put the word "museum" on the front with "and Heritage Centre" on the side. Councillors would prefer "Crediton Museum" with a capital C and M to match the words on the side.

Approval was recommended for installation of new shop front at 111 and 112 High Street (formerly Sims Furnishers) plus Listed Building Consent for that and alterations including demolition of some internal walls, two new windows at the rear and demolition of rear wall.

Approval was also recommended for an application from South West Galvanizers Limited for a light industrial storage building at Marsh End, Lords Meadow.

Mid Devon District Council makes the decisions on planning applications.