IN reference to the development proposed at Creedy Bridge, I would like to bring it to the attention of all people who care for and want to protect the Mid Devon countryside about this potentially very destructive and in my opinion unnecessary, at this time, development.

If you view the proposed site from north of Crediton, for example Shobrooke Park, it is blatantly obvious that this development is totally detached from Crediton and is in open, unspoilt countryside.

Just to the south of the development, sandwiched between the proposal and existing housing, is farmland. If houses have to be built because there is a need, surely this land should be developed first.

I can only guess that these fields are being left because they are not so easy to be developed because they are slightly sloping and will cost more for the developers to develop and leave them with less profit margin.

If there is a genuine and proven need for houses then there is a big section of land awaiting development beside Tesco (Wellparks) in the town. Again if there is a need this should be built on first as it is already surrounded by the new boundaries that Tesco has created for the town.

We are told by Mid Devon District Council that there is a need for all this local housing. There is only a need if they are continuingly encouraging new people to settle in the area. A high proportion of the people that will live in these houses will be commuting into Exeter which begs the question have all the in fill sites and sites which have been granted planning permission been built on first before giving permission to destroy further good quality rural farmland? Houses should be built where the work is.

It is a development in open countryside which will then open the door to further development in time. Where will it stop?

The reason why there are so many proposals is because the Government has relaxed planning rules and large housing developers are taking full advantage of it.

It appears to the layman that the National Government policy is to allow large developments to be given permission while leaving land which has become surrounded by development and will obviously one day be developed at a later date.

If we want a rural England left for all to enjoy, to feed us and be one of the South West’s main tourist selling points then we really do need to start sitting up and taking notice of the destruction that these policies are going to cause.

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