BY a unanimous vote, members of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council rejected an outline hybrid application to build one house and for change of use of the chapel to a dwelling and taking down an accommodation block at the Chapel of St Francis, Posbury.

The applicant is Mr C Burnett-Hitchcock of Chudleigh SW Limited. He was invited to speak at the parish council’s virtual meeting this month.

The council was told that Posbury House had been bought by a religious order in 1942 and converted to a convent and training place for priests.

The accommodation block was built in 1955. The chapel had been cottages or a cottage and stables before it was converted. Mr Burnett-Hitchcock added that it was felt it would be better to demolish the “unattractive” accommodation block and build a new house in the kitchen garden.

Asked if permission was given for this, would the rest of the site be developed, Mr Burnett-Hitchcock said that was not the intention.

Councillors felt there was no link between the chapel and accommodation block and a new building in the kitchen garden.

Councillors did not agree that the kitchen garden was a brownfield site, as described in the plan and were doubtful about knocking down one building and putting up a replacement in a different place.

The council supported redevelopment of an existing building but did not support building a replacement dwelling in the kitchen garden.

BUNGALOW

A Reserved Matters application from Carol Huxter to build an agricultural worker’s dwelling, the council was told it would be a two-bedroomed bungalow, following outline approval at Middle Moor Farm, Woodland Head near Yeoford.

Councillors were told Reserved Matters included appearance of the building, landscaping etc. Councillors had no comment.

Members agreed to support an application from Mrs J Garbutt to knock down a garage and build a replacement at Higher Neopardy Cottage, Yeoford.

SOIL DUMPING

Having further information in relation to the Environment Statement accompanying the application to import 350,000 cubic metres of inert soils and top soil for the raising of previously disturbed land not capable of sustaining commercial agriculture at Lower Hare Farm, Whitestone, councillors decided to repeat their previous objections.

FOR CHURCH

It was agreed to grant £1,200 to Yeoford Holy Trinity Church to help in its plan to built a kitchen and toilet with facilities for people with disabilities.

The church had used the toilets in the village hall across the road but when that was demolished and two houses built on the site, the church was left with no facilities.

In a letter to the council, the Church Warden had added that it was felt more use would be made of the church if it had those facilities.

Overall cost of the building would be £22,000. The church had been fundraising for two years but had to cancel several fundraising events this year.

It was hoped to find match funding and needed a further £5,000. Cllr Edna Beasley felt the toilet and kitchen was essential. She said a lot of people went to the regular coffee morning, not held at present, who did not go to church.

Council chairman, Cllr George Mortimer, commented that the council had supported other organisations in Yeoford.

It was agreed to donate the VAT money that would come back from the money given for the Devon Air Ambulance night time landing site in the village.

PRECEPT

The council will look again at the possible precept at its December meeting when a three per cent increase could be proposed.

It was felt a gradual increase was better than one big leap and the council needed to think ahead with the probability of having to take on more responsibilities.