THE July meeting of Sandford Parish Council meeting took place in the Community Room at the new Sandford Sports Pavilion.

Discussion took place over recent incidents when the Sandford bus had been unable to gain access through the Square due to parking issues outside Star House and at the Entrance to the Square at the top of Rose and Crown Hill. There had also been a recent incident, across from Star House, when the electrical cable at 1 Prospect Place had been torn down and the wing mirror belonging to a lorry trying to gain access had been damaged.

Concern was once again expressed over residents and visitors badly parking at these “pinch points” and thus causing parking issues on a regular basis.

ONE VEHICLE

It was felt that residents should only park ONE vehicle in the Square. It was noted some residents had up to four vehicles parked there on a regular basis when extra vehicles could be parked at the new village car park at Creedy View.?County Councillor Mrs Margaret Squires confirmed she was actively pursuing the parking problems and in a recent email to the clerk had set out the present position: “At the HATOC (Highways and Traffic Order Committee) meeting last week there was a request for the parking bay for the shop and restrictions for the bottom of Church Street/entrance to the Square entered for the County Traffic Order.

“I told them that we wanted the junction at the Rose and Crown with the Square also entered and at the other end of the Square by Star House. I have since emailed in the request.

“Hopefully this will be entered into the scheme for this financial year. The schemes need to be put forward and consulted on before being progressed, so we are probably looking to the winter before we see anything in place.” Discussion took place as to the best way forward and requests for a meeting to discuss these issues.

It was resolved to await the outcome of the request for a Traffic Order being discussed by Devon County Council and in the meantime suggest that residents did not park more than one vehicle in the Square. Parishioners were also encouraged to take pictures of vehicle access problems and send them to the parish clerk.

CREEDY BRIDGE

The clerk reported on an update from Simon Trafford (MDDC Planning Officer) on the planning application at Creedy Bridge (Pedlarspool).

The update read: “As officers we have been working through application submission made under reference: 17/00348/MOUT, and at our last meeting we indicated that the application as submitted was not supportable in policy terms.

“As a result Gleesons have agreed to an extension of time for the determination of the application whilst it considers amending the terms of its application proposals.

“On this basis I would expect to receive revised details in July. Further consultation with local stakeholders, including the Parish Council would then follow on any revised details.”

Recently the timescale for Creedy Bridge was extended to October.

DEFIBRILLATOR

It was reported that the defibrillator had now been installed outside Sandford Community Stores and the clerk was asked to send a letter of thanks to Dave Totterdell for undertaking this task.

Sandford AFC had 12 chairs currently in storage which could be used at the Community Pavilion and dog signs are to be ordered for the Creedy View play area. Also legal negotiations were proceeding for the acquisition of the Creedy View Car Park from the Gorwyn Trust.

The Parish Council has now gone into Summer recess and will not meet again until September 7. In the meantime the clerk, Malcolm Vallance, can be contacted at Myrtle Cottage, Sandford, email: [email protected] or telephone 01363 772769.

MJV