by Alan QuickREVISED plans for a housing development for 257 dwellings rather than the previous proposal of 326 in the parish of Sandford and on the outskirts of Crediton will be available to view at two public consultation events next week.

John Smith of Gleeson Developments Ltd has written to the residents of Crediton and Sandford with further details of the revised plan for the Creedy Bridge site, formerly known as Pedlarspool.

He also invites the residents to attend the consultation events.

Mr Smith writes: "You will recall that last year Gleeson Developments Limited submitted a planning application (planning reference 17/00348/MOUT) for a sensitive residential led development of land at Creedy Bridge, a site that Mid Devon District Council has allocated for development in its adopted and emerging Local Plan.

"The outline planning application, submitted February 2017, was for up to 326 new homes; land for Crediton Rugby Club to relocate to; land safeguarded for a Primary School; landscaping and areas of public open space; ecological mitigation and enhancement; and other related uses. CONSULTATION

"Following the application submission, we have considered carefully the statutory and third-party consultation comments received by the Council and have been in detailed discussions with planning officers as to how we might best respond to the issues raised.

"This is increasingly important as the number of speculative applications coming forward across the District continues to increase.

"Unlike Creedy Bridge, these have not been allocated or formally released for future development by the Council. These speculative applications are seeking to take advantage of the fact that sites formally allocated for development are not coming forward for development quickly enough, thereby resulting in a housing supply shortfall across the district.

"Despite the Council’s resistance to many of these, including the recent refusal for 120 dwellings at Chapel Down Farm, without a robust housing land supply the District remains vulnerable to ‘planning by appeal’, including in the local area. AMENDMENTS

"Given the above, we have now agreed to make a number of amendments to our proposed development. This includes reducing the proposed number of new homes from 326 to 257 dwellings, whilst also increasing the proportion of affordable homes, alongside investment to improve local services and infrastructure.

"We would like to share details of these scheme changes with you and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions of the project team at a public drop-in event."The plan for the 8.6 hectares of land is also likely to include up to five or six gypsy sites.Opponents, members of the Creedy Valley Protection Group, are encouraging members of the public to attend the public drop-ins.COMMENT

The first public drop-in event will take place on Monday, April 16, from 4pm to 7pm at Sandford Parish Hall.

The second will take place on Tuesday, April 17, from 4pm to 7pm at Crediton Rugby Football Club, Exhibition Road, Crediton.

Mr Smith added that if anyone has any queries about the project in the meantime, then they can contact Matt Detzler from Gleeson Developments Ltd project team on freephone 0800 130 3270.• Share your views with fellow Crediton Courier readers. Write a letter, suitable for publication, with your name, address and a daytime telephone number, to The Editorial Manager, Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.Alternatively, email your letter, with the required information to: [email protected] .