SANDFORD Parish Council has been told that work is to commence in March on the new development at Creedy View 2, (Weavers Way).

A meeting is being requested with the developer to discuss issues surrounding access of heavy machinery and deliveries to the site in advance of the works commencing.

Adrian Deveruex (Mid Devon District Council Planning Officer) will also be invited to attend. The Parish Council has yet to see the final approval of the planning document for this development including such matters as colour of roofs, S106 funding etc.

PEDLARSPOOL

A meeting is also being arranged with Naomi Taylor (Bellway Homes) to discuss “Reserved matters” in the application for 257 homes planned for Creedy Bridge (Pedlarspool).
It was pointed out that Pedlarspool Lane is currently used by Sandford residents to access the A3072, heading to Tiverton and into Crediton, and vice versa.

The planning application proposed that the lane was to be closed off and traffic would have to travel through the built up area of the new estate.

Given that most of this would be agricultural traffic and heavy lorries making deliveries in Sandford it was felt that this was not practical for both safety and environmental reasons, and that access, to and from the A3072, should continue through Pedlarspool Lane.

PARKING

A complaint had been made over parking issues in Lower Church Street regarding vehicles habitually parked outside their properties for long periods, causing an obstruction to other road users.

The Clerk had referred this matter on to Crediton Police who had responded to say this was a matter for Devon County Council Highways.

It was agreed to refer the matter to James Anstee (DCC Road Safety Officer) to seek his advice.

The Landlord of the Lamb Inn complained in the Open Forum about weeds growing outside the pub and it was agreed to attend to this matter.

At the meeting the annual review of “Village weeding” was discussed and the concerns of those not happy with this practice.

It was suggested that if a parishioner, or group of parishioners, came forward offering to spray the village weeds with a “vinegar, salt, and washing up liquid solution”, as used by St Swithun’s Church, the Parish Council would consider to trial this for 2022.

A final decision will be made at the March 3 meeting.

Anyone prepared to volunteer should email: [email protected] . Hopefully volunteers will come forward. If not arrangements will be made to weed spray the village.

Jim Stephens reported that the granite has now been purchased to make the replacement Sandford Boundary Stones.

PLATINUM JUBILEE
A Working Party would meet to discuss events for Sandford’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Already planned are Thursday, June 2 - Lighting of the Parish Beacon at New Buildings with Hog Roast. Saturday, June 4 - Common Players Production of "Alice in Wonderland" on the Millennium Green.

Other suggestions: Friday, June 3 - The Landlord of the Lamb Inn was proposing a Street Party, along Church Street, and had already booked entertainment. It was suggested the Parish Council could engage and cover the cost of Crediton Town Band making an appearance.

Sunday, June 5 - Church Service followed by a Bring and Share Lunch and Toast in Sandford Cider. It is hoped, as for the highly successful QE90 Celebration, to involve Sandford School.
The feedback from the Working Party will be presented to the full Council at the March 3 meeting, so that the programme of events for the weekend can be agreed. A Ferret Racing evening is planned at Sandford Parish Hall, to raise funds for the Celebrations, on March 26.
A request has been received for Dog/Litter Bin at East Village and the Clerk had passed this on to Mid Devon District Council. The Parish Council was surprised to learn that East Village did not already have a Litter Bin.
The Council was disappointed that a response from James Anstee (DCC Road Safety Officer) was still awaited and the Clerk was asked to press for an early response.
It was noted that DCC Highways had visited the village to deal with road flooding problems at the junction with Coppice Lane. Also noted were major flooding problems on the road to New Buildings outside Frogmire causing potential hazard issues to road users. Despite efforts by Parishioners, and the DCC Highway Team, to deal with this matter, they had been turned away by a resident.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on March 3, beginning at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall annexe.

Now that life is gradually returning to normal, copies of the Parish Council minutes will again be placed in the Sandford Parish Council file at Sandford Stores. The Parish Comment book will also return for use.

MJV