A WISHLIST of major infrastructure projects in Mid Devon has been put forward, including hopes for new primary schools in three towns.

The district council is preparing to submit a list of schemes that it wants and that it intends to fund in whole or in part.

Councils are required to submit such a list each year to the government.

Mid Devon’s covers various aspirations, including road upgrades, carbon reduction measures and affordable housing, as well as hopes for new primary schools in Tiverton, Crediton and Cullompton.

Primary and secondary school expansion is listed as a high priority.

Richard Marsh, director of place and economy, said the council had split its wish list into “high importance”, “important” and “desirable”.

Those of the highest importance tend to link with key policies the council is trying to pursue, Mr Marsh said.

“We take into account the wishes and views of councillors, but when considering the list we look at things such as the planning necessity of those items in relation to the adopted local plan and other documents,” he told the planning, environment and sustainability policy development group.

He highlighted improvements at junction 28 of the M5 as a “high importance” item, because it is deemed fundamental to unlocking a major proposed housing development at Culm Garden Village in Cullompton.

Cllr Sue Robinson asked why provision of post-16 education – lacking in Mid Devon – hadn’t been listed.

Mr Marsh acknowledged that it could be possible to add this to the list, while another member of the committee stated that reopening Cullompton train station – rated an important item – could improve access to higher education because it would enable Mid Devon students to reach Exeter more easily.

The list will now be approved by Mid Devon’s cabinet, and if approved, it will be published on the council’s website by the end of the year.

Bradley Gerrard

LDRS