FOLLOWING the news that Mid Devon District Council has been required to undertake further consultation on planning decisions, a statement was issued to the Courier from James Gibbs of Jackson Stops and Staff land and new homes, development consultants to the Turner family, owners and promoters of land at Pedlarspool.

It states that following the Examination on April 27 and 28 into the Mid Devon Local Development Framework DPD, a further illustrative master plan for Pedlarspool was submitted to the joint inspectors as requested.

Mr Gibbs explained: "This was in response to a very constructive discussion at the examination regarding fulfilling the future requirements for Crediton in respect of housing, employment land, road improvements, relocation of the Rugby Club and provision of a single site for QECC School.

"This master plan and accompanying statement was put onto the Mid Devon District Council website for public comment, at the request of the Inspectors.

"We understand the Inspectors have now recommended that Mid Devon District Council carry out further consultation on a number of key sites and amendments which took place during the Examination, including land at Wellparks and land at Pedlarspool, Crediton."

Mr Gibbs said that a significant amount of the Pedlarspool site was "effectively sterilised by the bypass protection, which our clients have always accepted".

He added: "However, with the County Council having deleted the bypass route, this opened up possibilities to re-plan the site to include the provision of a relocation site for the Crediton Rugby Club."

Mr Gibbs said there had been discussion with the rugby club and Mid Devon and the rugby club had concluded the only realistic option was on land at Pedlarspool.

He said that following discussions with the rugby club "we believe they are supportive of the proposals".

He added that they would also allow for the relocation of the QE schools onto a single site as desired by Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council.

He concluded: "Our clients, having been based in the local community for many years, strongly support the proposals to allow for a relocation of the rugby club to Pedlarspool which would allow for a single school site on the existing rugby club site and the rugby club to expand, and welcome the opportunity for further and considered consultation of the overall proposals."