17/0348/MOUT at land at NGR 284185 and 101165 (Creedy Bridge) Crediton

Application for 257 homes at Pedlarspool Lane/Creedy Bridge, Crediton

I ONLY became aware of this application when I saw a front page article on the subject in the “Crediton Courier” on January 21, 2022.

I was unable to attend the open meeting on Wednesday, March 16 at 10am at Old Landscore School because I was at work and wonder if the meeting was held at this inconvenient time to deter objectors.

My wife and I regularly enjoy walks in the Pedlarspool area and I am opposed to the application for the following reasons:

1. Stonewall Lane provides a natural boundary to the north side of Crediton along the ridge of the hill and should be retained as the northernmost extent of the town which rests neatly in the A377 valley.

2.  The river Creedy valley to the north of Crediton is a beautiful area of unspoiled farming land which would be ruined by the proposed development of a huge urban sprawl if Crediton is allowed to expand to the north of Stonewall Lane.

3.  I can remember the valley being flooded on a couple of occasions and, with Global Warming and Climate Change, periods of heavy rain and flooding of the river Creedy valley become increasingly likely.

Building on a flood plain, even with the flood relief schemes proposed would seem to be very foolish.

4.  I consider it inappropriate to build on useful agricultural land.

5.  Pedlarspool Lane itself is an outstandingly beautiful avenue of magnificent mature trees which should be protected.  Surrounding the Lane with a sea of houses and changing it in any way would be unforgivable.

Any suggestion that any trees should be removed would be environmental vandalism, and the land should be retained as an important through route for agricultural machinery and lorries.

6.  Wildlife, including bats and a variety of species of birds living in the hedges and copses would be disturbed and probably dislodged by the influx of houses and people.

7.  Allowing this development would set a precedent for more extensive building and this area of lovely countryside would be a treasure lost for ever.

I request that the outline approval should be revoked and the beautiful valley should be retained in its unspoiled state for future generations to enjoy.

I have also written to Crediton Town Council and Mid Devon District Council to express my objection.

Mike Turnbull

Okefield Road

Crediton

• Crediton Town Council said that because of home working, Mid Devon District Council’s planning officer was only available to come to Crediton on Wednesday mornings or afternoons 4.30-6.30pm.

With varied availability of town councillors and because it seemed that more of the residents who wanted to go along were available then, the morning was chosen.

The town council added: “The meeting certainly wasn’t fixed to deter objectors.  Quite the reverse.  We are keen to hear public opinion on this application.

“It will be discussed at a town council meeting on April 5 when anyone can attend and voice objections to any application.

“If this application were to be involved in a long drawn out process, it is still possible that we could have a further meeting at a different time.  But that is only a possibility, not a certainty.”

The meeting, town council’s Planning and Town Strategy Committee, is at 7pm at Old Landscore School (formerly Early Birds).  The agenda will be posted on the town council website (www.crediton.gov.uk) in due course.