DEVON County Council has announced that the report it is producing of its officers recommendations concerning the most suitable route for the Crediton Link Road has been delayed.

The report, which was due to be presented to DCC's cabinet members prior to their meeting on Wednesday, February 10, was expected to suggest the county's preferred route into the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the A377.

DCC confirmed this week that the delay had been caused because it was "seeking more information for the report."

A spokesman for the Council told the Courier: "Senior officers agreed that it would be better to report to cabinet on March 10, rather than at the budget meeting on February 10.

"That will give us the best opportunity of giving a thorough report, including coverage of the submissions we have recently received on the built (man-made surroundings) and natural environment."

While the news of the delay has been greeted by some Kirtonians as yet another in a series of delays in resolving Crediton's traffic and air pollution problems, it has been greeted as a positive sign by the chairman of the group which is pushing for the Valley route option.

Bob Edwards, chairman of Crediton Traffic Action Group, said: "I would like to think that Devon County Council are taking our arguments seriously and considering that they should go with the Valley route option.

"I think DCC have the option to do the right thing and that is what they are trying to achieve."

Last month Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, emphasised in a statement to the Courier: "Devon County Council is still committed to pursuing the creation of a link road for Crediton between the A377 and the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate but we must get it right.

"We want to deliver a scheme that supports development in the area, improves air quality and addresses the issue of present and future traffic growth.

The delay in presenting the report has been condemned by Crediton Town and District Councillor David Nation.

He said: "This is indefensible and we all need to campaign hard to persuade the county council to decide the route and fund it without that delay. Surely now, at last, Crediton's need must be the top priority?"

Cllr Nation blames the current Conservative administration for the delay of the report.

However, Cllr Hughes has issued a hard-hitting rebuttal in which he states that this is not true.

He said: "I have made it quite clear that Devon County Council is committed to pursuing the creation of a link road for Crediton between the A377 and the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

"We want to deliver a scheme that supports development in the area, improves air quality, and addresses the issue of present and future traffic growth."

Joan Farley, who lives in Exeter Road and has endured many years of heavy traffic passing her front door, as well as poor air quality, said the delay was "absolutely ridiculous".

She continued: "I am absolutely fuming. They have had 50 years to sort this out.

"I think we have got them cornered and they don't know how to get out of it.

"The whole thing stinks!"

Mrs Farley also hit out at a plan for housing on land behind properties along Exeter Road on a site west of Wellparks, which adjoins a site already earmarked for housing.

Mrs Farley said planning notices were placed on fences near the site last week.

"This is the first we have heard about this.

"I can't believe someone would want to put houses behind the homes in Exeter Road where we already suffer from such poor air quality - it is just ridiculous.

Mid Devon District Council confirmed that it is carrying out a further consultation on "Non Allocated Sites" and that the development proposal for the site west of Wellparks is being promoted by the landowner and/or developers for inclusion in the Proposed Submission of the Allocations and Infrastructure Development Plan Document.

Other local developments being proposed by landowners and/or developers for inclusion include a plan for housing at Higher Road, Crediton (in Sandford Parish); at Landscore, Crediton, between The Parks and Early Birds Nursery; housing near Brooklyn House, Fordton; a site for 250 dwellings at Chapel Downs, Crediton (mainly in Crediton Hamlets Parish) and at Shambles Drive, Copplestone, a plan for mixed use housing and employment development.

None of the 17 development proposals in the "Non Allocated Sites" document are being proposed or supported by Mid Devon District Council.

Full details can be found on the council's website at: http://www.middevon.gov.uk">www.middevon.gov.uk .

Comments on these sites only must be submitted by the extended date of March 5 and should include the site's name.

Comments must be sent to: Planning Services, Forward Planning and Conservation, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP.

Alternatively, email comments to: [email protected]">[email protected] but please remember to include your name and postal address.

Mid Devon's Forward Planning Team Leader, Simon Thornley, told the Courier, regarding the plan for west of Wellparks: "In terms of details, there are no further details - we only have an outline map from the objectors.

"It should be considered as an extension to the site 'Wellparks', which is proposed for allocation in the submitted Development Plan Document."

Further details are available from Mid Devon District Council's Forward Planning team on 01884 234344.

Crediton Traffic Action Group and the Exeter Road Resident's Association members have already said they intend to oppose the west of Wellparks development proposal.