By Sue Read

DURING a five-hour exhibition in Crediton, 136 people went along to look at ideas for a possible 120-home development at Chapel Downs, Crediton, and ask questions.

Barratt Homes were holding a “public engagement exercise” before putting in an outline planning application for the Chapel Downs land.

A Barratt spokesperson said: “This was to ensure views of local residents are taken into consideration within the proposals.”

The consultation had meant Barratt contacting numerous stakeholders including the local Mid Devon District Councillors and members of Crediton Town Council, offering meetings as well as the public exhibition at the Methodist Church Hall on Thursday, February 23.

The site Barratt is looking at is triangular, running from the A377 up the hill along the back of Queen Elizabeth Drive properties to its widest part along Higher Road at the top, about nine hectares.

The land is subject to an options agreement after Barratt Homes acquired an interest in it last year.

Barratt say that Mid Devon District Council is currently running short of the number of houses it needs to build over a five-year period.

Barratt feel this site “provides an opportunity to deliver homes in a good location.”

It says it has been working on designs that “sensitively address the local setting, creating a high quality development in keeping with existing housing in the area, minimising any potential local impact.”

Access would be from Higher Road with a range of improvements planned including providing passing places along the road and addressing existing pinch points.

Having reviewed traffic in the wider area, Barratt is also looking at providing junction improvements to Higher Road/Jockey Hill and Blagdon Terrace/Mill Street saying “we hope (this) will give benefit to the wider community.”

Barratt say it strongly believes that any proposals it brings forward “must have a negligible impact on air quality.”

This has meant carrying out a range of tests and modelling and among measures that could be taken would be new walking and cycling routes, car sharing schemes, provision of secure cycle parking on the development, electric vehicle charging points, road improvements and good housekeeping to minimise emissions and impact of construction. There would be approximately 2.5 parking spaces per house.

Barratt adds that, if the district council approved the planning application and before any homes were built it would pay “a substantial contribution” to the Local Education Authority and the NHS.

It would be hoped to put in an application in late March or early April.

The site had originally been part of the district council’s Local Plan but was not taken forward because of concerns about access to the A377 and air quality, among others. It was listed as Grade Two agricultural land.

Key comments at the exhibition included access and concern about Higher Road and its capabilities for taking more traffic as well as issues such as schools and doctors surgeries. People had also commented that they liked the green buffer.

Barratt will be keeping its website ( www.barrattexeterplanning.co.uk ) up-to-date with all relevant information and will let the town and parish councils know when the application is submitted to the district council.

If there are specific questions or you would like further information, click on the Provide Your Comments tab on the website.

You can also call 0345 120 5005 (during office hours) or email: [email protected] .

The government Planning Advisory Website says: “Planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), commonly known as S106 agreements, are a mechanism which make a development proposal acceptable in planning terms, that would not otherwise be acceptable.

“They are focused on site specific mitigation of the impact of development. S106 agreements are often referred to as ‘developer contributions’ along with highway contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy.” ( www.pas.gov.uk ).