ABOUT 30 Crediton residents, with concerns about the proposed change of use of the old surgery at Newcombes, attended a meeting on Monday, November 29 at the Boniface Centre.
The meeting was chaired by local resident and former Mid Devon District Councillor, Philip Bourne who welcomed everyone and said: “This is an open meeting, we meet as friends, speak openly, and leave as friends.”
He explained that he was away in September and on his return was surprised to find a first planning application had been submitted by Mr Jeff Jenner of Blockworks Group Ltd in Worcester for the change of use from a former doctors’ surgery to children’s residential homes.
He was even more surprised that it had gone through the planning process with Mid Devon District Council quietly.
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Two applications have been submitted, one for the “pharmacy” building which has been granted and a second for the former surgery which is awaiting decision.
Philip said he couldn’t believe that “due process” had been taken and the decision had surprised both local residents and the local council.
He explained that planning officers at Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) had a responsibility to the public and that no impact assessment report had been completed and details of the planning application had not been forwarded to Crediton Town Council.
Local resident Steve Howells put together a petition against the plans and informed local residents of the meeting.
Steve said: “The first residents heard was when they received a small flyer from the developer with writing so small it was difficult for most to read.
“It was expected there would have been a planning meeting but instead it went straight through planning without any consultation with Crediton Town Council.”
The Town Council has now applied for an extension on the former surgery application until Tuesday, December 7 so that local ward members can “call it in” if there are any planning issues.
Residents at the meeting were then given the opportunity to have their say.
An Orchard Close resident said: “I understand that the building will affect the safety, security and the wellbeing of residents already settled in the Newcombes area.
“There is already antisocial behaviour further up the hill and I am concerned that new young people would get caught up in this and it could create a catalyst.
A Clifford Gardens resident said: “We will lose our privacy as the houses will overlook our flats.”
Wyn from Crediton added: “We don’t know what type of people they are. “With elderly and vulnerable people living here how can MDDC bring these people here - How can we stop this?”
A resident from one of the Newcombes Housing Association bungalows said: “I feel there is a lot of bad behaviour in the park, morning, noon and night and teenagers had been reported many times.
“I fear that the new children would join them and make this bad behaviour even worse.
“It’s not comfortable for older people.”
Concerns expressed by other residents included:
I would like to know where these young people will come from, what their ages will be. It could create disorder, thefts and assaults. If we don’t make a stand it could come back to bite us.
The building and its facilities would make an ideal care home for the elderly and this would fit seamlessly. It’s the worst possible place for young people. It’s like putting a fox into a hen house.
There is a lot that goes on in the park that most people are not aware of. There is not much for kids to do in Crediton. We don’t want the trouble we already have escalating.
I was wondering if we could link this into the work the Police Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez is doing on crime and safety.
Could this be linked into the new local plan?
I would like to see the Town Council get behind this and put it to MDDC - they need to step up and get behind the people of Crediton.
What about the educational needs of the new children - could Queen Elizabeth’s School take on children who may be vulnerable and have special needs. Looking at the plans there could potentially be 17 children.
Philip asked the residents at the meeting a number of questions and it
was unanimously agreed that:
Residents want to see “this flawed process” re-run with proper consultation and clarity of what is actually being proposed by the developer
The change of use is in an inappropriate place
Residents want to see proper attention to existing anti-social behaviour and road safety before any development is allowed as this is already affecting residents’ quality of life and the ability to sell their homes
Residents would like some answers for MDDC preferably before the next planning meeting and the next Town Council meeting.
It was unanimously agreed that the situation was totally unacceptable in a democracy.
It was also agreed that the sustainability, the impact on existing residents and the suitability of the change of use needed looking into.
The Planning applications include:
• Pharmacy: 21/01379/FULL (7 bed Children’s Home) and 21/01381/ FULL (7 bed house) - both approved.
• Surgery: 21/02115/FULL (3 x 4 bed plus 1 x 3 bed children’s home units) and 21/02113/Full (3 x 4 bed plus 1 x 3 bed houses) – both awaiting decision.Any residents wishing to comment can do so in writing to: Head of Planning and Regeneration, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP or via the online planning portal at: https//www.middevon.gov.uk/do-it-online/planning .
The planning officer from MDDC was unable to attend the meeting.
An invitation to attend the meeting was sent to the developer, Mr Jeff Jenner but no reply was received. Mr Jenner was also asked for a comment but none was received.