NEW homes and the future of the parish were among discussions at the October meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, held at Yeoford Community Hall.

Six members of the public were there to speak on a planning application for retention of change of use to builder’s storage yard and erection of a storage building at Gunstone Yard, Gunstone for Mr Hawman.

The members of the public were all people living in the area who said others would like to have attended the meeting but were unable to be there for various reasons.

A spokesman for them said there was concern that the site had been used “for a number of years” as a waste management site without planning permission.

People were concerned at the possible ultimate agenda, maybe housing, noting that the application now included change of use to a builder’s storage yard as well as a storage building.

He said that whenever anyone living in the area did any work, they had to have a skip to correctly dispose of waste materials.

They felt it was not a proper use of the land and that smoke from burning on the site had sometimes caused distress to local people.

There was criticism that no-one from Mid Devon District Council had been to look at the site.  District Council member for the area, Cllr Derek Coren, reported that, due to staff shortages, the council had not yet appointed anyone to specifically deal with this but had said there would be a need to justify this type of development in the countryside.

The parish council welcomed Cllr Coren’s offer to ask for the application to be discussed by the district council’s full planning committee if the planning officer was minded to approve it.

One of the residents said: “I do not think any of us are being awkward, it is a mess and if someone came from the district council to look at it, they would understand.”

BUS SHELTER

Cllr Nick Yarnold had been investigating the possibility of a bus shelter at Yeoford.  He had found a potential site almost opposite Yeoford Meadows.

He was suggesting a shelter 4.1m long, 3.2m high and 2.1m wide of polycarbonate on a concrete base.

The shell of the shelter would cost in the region of £1,750.  The cost of end panels, solar lighting, seating, fixings and ground work would bring the total to around £4,000.

“Kids can get soaked before they get to school.  I know they need to walk down the road but this would give some shelter,” he said.  The shelter would also benefit those who catch the Tuesday and Friday buses.

He was in discussion with a local landowner to see if the proposed siting would be possible.

It was wondered whether local people might help with the building when the time came.

PEDLARSPOOL

Looking at the details for the Bellway Homes Limited application for 257 dwellings at Creedy Bridge, Crediton, known as Pedlarspool, the parish council was still not happy.

The Reserved matters application included up to five gypsy and traveller pitches and associated works following the outline approval 17/00348/MOUT.

Councillors said that Crediton was spreading out more and more but this site would not affect the Hamlets area apart from extra traffic it would generate.

Saying that white houses such as Tarka View development “stand out like a sore thumb” they felt that at least these would be different colours with grey roofs.

It was said that environmental issues were still being sorted out with the district council, which will make the final decisions.

BOUNDARY REVIEW

When it came to looking at the Parish Boundary Review, now in its Second Stage Consultation, it was pointed out that the Boundary Review Team was not looking to create any new parishes.

While councillors were sympathetic to Cllr Coren’s suggestions for tidying the Hamlets’ boundary including losing a part to Colebrooke, the council decided Hamlets should stay as it was.

As for the suggestion that the number of members for Yeoford on Hamlets should increase from five to seven, giving the parish council 11 members instead of nine, it was said, tongue in cheek, that people were queueing up to join the parish council, so no change.

It was felt that no members of the public present to put their views for this item on the agenda showed a lack of interest.  The Review had been publicised in the Yeoford “Village Voice”.

As it was already laid out in the master plan for Crediton, Westernlea would not be able to join the town area.

DEFIBRILLATOR

The parish council had been looking at provision of a defibrillator for Hookway.  It was pointed out that the one at Downes Crediton Golf Club was only available when the clubhouse was open.

Chairman, Cllr John Stevens, reported having received comments as to why would such small populations as Hookway and Venny Tedburn need a defibrillator.

Arrangements were discussed for Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial in Crediton.  The Memorial is for the town and Hamlets.