by Alan Quick

AFTER many years of very little substantial housing development in the immediate Crediton area, a building bonanza looks like it is about to begin.

Devonshire Homes, in a joint venture with partner Devon and Cornwall Housing, recently held its “turf cutting” to signal the start of works on building 185 high-quality new homes, 50 of which are affordable, on the 18 acres of land at Tarka View, Wellparks, Crediton.

A selection of one bedroomed apartments and two, three, and four-bedroomed homes will be available.

Jane Pearce of Devonshire Homes said the development will bring “sought-after homes to Crediton.”

Russell Baldwinson, at DCH, said: “We know there are lots of families who desperately need an affordable home in this location. It’s great to be getting started and making real progress providing homes in places people want to live. We look forward to handing over the keys.”

While Tarka View homes are on the way, one planning application for housing has been delayed.

CONTROVERSIAL PLAN DELAYED

Mid Devon District Council planners, at their recent meeting at Tiverton, decided to put off a decision for hundreds of houses on the outskirts of Crediton, as well as a new site for the town’s rugby club.

The application for the Creedy Bridge area of Crediton (Pedlarspool), which is in Sandford parish, has previously provoked strong feelings in the area.

Developers want to build 326 houses, including a number of affordable ones, as well as the rugby club and a possible new primary school at the site.

The planning committee decided that the application will now be determined in October.

54 HOMES PLAN

Persimmon Homes have lodged a planning application for 54 homes on the edge of Crediton in the area of Willow Walk and Cromwells Meadow.

A total of 35 of the 54 homes would be available to the open market with 19 affordable homes.

Almost 100 people met this week to discuss the application, raising concerns about nearby flooding, traffic and sewerage.

UP TO 60 HOMES PLAN

While the Persimmon Homes site is listed for housing in the current Mid Devon District Council Local Plan, an outline application for up to 60 homes on land off Pitt Hill, adjacent to Brookdale, Threshers, Hollacombe, on the edge of Crediton, is not listed as a development site.

The land is in Crediton Hamlets Parish Council and the 60 dwellings are proposed with 14 flats, each property having two parking spaces with the majority having parking within their curtilage.

The new homes would be two and three-storeys.

Local residents say they have concerns about flooding, access and traffic.

120 HOMES PLAN

Another proposed development which is not listed as a development site in the current Local Plan is the Barratt Homes development plan for 120 homes at Chapel Downs Farm, Crediton.

Concerns about this plan include the volume of traffic using Higher Road, Jockey Hill roundabout and the Barnstaple Cross junction.

While there is much discussion to be had about some of the applications, the opening of the Link Road, enabling access from the Wellparks roundabout to Exhibition Road appears to have opened the floodgates to planning applications being submitted.

Concerns about air quality and traffic continue to dominate discussion in the Crediton area alongside discussion about new housing plans or proposals.

• What do you think about plans for the homes plans being submitted in the Crediton area?

Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers by sending a letter, suitable for publication to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF. Alternatively, email your letter to: [email protected] .