HOW to protect and generate interest in the town's shops and encouraging traders will be occupying members of Crediton Town Council at its next meeting.

This follows Cllr Paul Vincent's query at the April meeting of its finance and general purposes committee, asking whether there was anything the town council could do to help reduce the number of empty shops?

He did not feel any other agency would be able to inspire and achieve anything. It was, however, felt that the town's Chamber of Commerce could do more.

After a previous meeting, Mid Devon District Council had been asked whether it would change its town centre retail policies?

This had included an intention to reduce the 70 per cent threshold on retail premises in the primary shopping area to 65 per cent, which could lead to more shops being changed to offices.

So far, the town council had not received a reply, but will be discussing this issue further.

PAVEMENT AT DOWNES MILL

Cllr Bill Dixon was wryly amused that Devon County Council had put a new pavement past Downes Mill on the Exeter road but at the same time Crediton had been told it could not have one on Mill Street.

"It seems an upside down world when we cannot have a pavement where lots of people ask for one, yet have a new pavement that probably no-one asked for," he said.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

A working group is being formed that would include town councillors to plan this year's Christmas lights.

Western Power have written to the council saying it will be looking at putting more cables underground in the town.

The town council will be looking at how the district council charges for use of the town square by non-profit making organisations.

It was said that the whole point of the square was to have a town centre space that could be used for events.

Also that often organisations which apply to the district council for funding would end up using that money to pay the district council for hiring its square!

PLANNING

It was noted that the district council had given Listed Building approval for the conversion of storage buildings at 25 High Street (now Treloars) into two houses.

An application for change of use of the ground floor of 122-123 High Street (formerly Maynews) from retail (A1) to financial and professional services (A2) had been approved by the district council.

The town council had recommended refusal as this was in the primary shopping area and it felt this should remain in retail use.

The town council committee had no objections to: a revised application to build two houses and one flat adjacent to 12 Searle Street. Change of use of 55-56 High Street (the Old Surgery) from office (B1) to shop (A1). Conversion of the maisonette at 122-123 High Street into two with external alterations and provision of an external staircase with a canopy over. Councillors felt the staircase might not be appropriate in view of nearby listed buildings.

A revised scheme for the erection of extensions and alterations to the existing industrial unit at Fix Auto Mid Devon, 33 Marsh Road, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Installation of a dormer window at 7 Murley Close. Advertisement consent application for two non-illuminated fascia signs, one non-illuminated projecting sign and five non-illuminated external signs at Lloyds TSB Bank, 30 High Street.