By Sue Read

TOO many houses on the site, fear of flooding, poor pedestrian and cycle links were all part of the objections to a Persimmon Homes South West plan for new homes on the outskirts of Crediton.

Crediton Town Council was looking at the revised scheme to build 49 dwellings with public open space, landscaping and other work at Cromwells Meadow.

Among reasons for the town council’s objection was how the surface water would be dealt with, closeness to the flood plain, how the attenuation pond would be maintained, impact on other properties, sewerage issues, the site was overdeveloped and queries over how the site management company would work.

Several members of the public were there as well as Simon Trafford, Mid Devon District Council’s area planning officer.

He explained that although the district council, the deciding council for planning, had adopted its Local Plan in 2009/10, it had yet to adopt the one now being revised that went up to 2025.

The first plan had allocated the site for up to 50 houses with 35 per cent affordable. In reviewing its Local Plan it had reduced the number of houses on this site to up to 35.

Now the application was for 49 homes, mostly two storey with five three-storey buildings, affordable homes “pepper potted” around the site.

The changes to this plan included more planting at the boundary and raising the built area, Mr Trafford said the extra traffic would be managed through the Willow Walk access, the one at Cromwells Meadow would be closed. He added it would not be a significant amount of extra traffic.

Mr Trafford explained that the developers would set up a management company when the homes were completed and this would take on responsibility for the non-private areas on the estate.

Asked about flooding, Mr Trafford said that to overcome objections raised by the environment agency, the area to be built on had been slightly raised and the scheme to manage water run off had been described as “acceptable” by experts.

A member of the public from the Cromwells Meadow / Willow Walk area spoke of their frustration when they had given the district council photos and videos of flooding right up to the site.

She said there was concern as to how the management company would deal with the attenuation pond, were not satisfied that the surface water would not be a problem, and what would be done about sewerage that now comes up in people’s gardens on Willow Walk.

AND FOR A CHANGE

Mr Trafford was also able to answer questions about another planning application. This time from Mr C Reed of Reed Construction and Developments Limited of 106 High Street, to vary three of the conditions imposed when approval was given to build three homes at Fair Havens, Mill Street, following demolition of the existing house.

This new application was to allow early commencement of the development. Councillors agreed to object to the application.

A THANK YOU

A Certificate of Achievement was presented by the chairman of the town council, town Mayor Cllr Frank Letch, to Abi Sansom who, as a member of Crediton Detachment ACF, had been Mayor’s Cadet for two years, helping the Mayor at official functions.

Cllr Letch said Abi had done a wonderful job in looking after him.

NEW COUNCLLOR

Each of the three candidates for the vacant town council seat for Boniface Ward spoke briefly about themselves. Chosen by ballot was Torquay-born Kay Piercy who has lived in Crediton for 17 years.

She and her partner own a small woodland in North Devon, are keen environmentalists being members of Agroforestry projects such as the LAND permaculture demonstration networks, and support Sustainable Crediton, Tree Aid and the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust.

Mrs Piercy has a BA Hons in Fine Art, graduated in social work, is a registered social worker and has worked in children’s services throughout the South West.

Before that she had been a college tutor in London, Africa and the Middle East. Now retired she has a small studio in Crediton. She was a founder of Steel Yard Arts, a community art group in Crediton, and is pursuing a number of art projects.

She added that she was “excited by the energy” of the Town Team and its projects . A member of the Labour party, she said she was aware of the need for political impartiality in town council matters.

She was concerned by the impact of the Government’s continuing austerity policies which she felt added to the tensions of today’s families.

“I also know that living in Crediton is not all doom and gloom,” she said. “It is great to be part of a progressive town with an excellent choice of coffee houses, a vibrant Farmers’ Market, an exciting arts community, clean streets and people who care about the environment.

“It is impressive what can be achieved with a pro-active town council,” she said.