CREDITON Rugby Club has secured planning permission for the next phase of its Creedy Bridge relocation.

Mid Devon District Council gave the club the green light in principle in 2021 to move from Lords Meadow to the north-eastern edge of the new 257-home Libbets Grange development off the A3072.

Now, the local authority has approved where three of Crediton RFC’s four proposed rugby pitches will go at the site, the layout of its new stone car park and the erection of nylon-netted fencing to stop rugby balls escaping.

In the next phase, the club will ask the council to approve the fourth pitch and the building of a new club house.

The club has split up the planning process in this way so that it can use the new area this season. It has also applied for a grant for a new pitch through the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Lidl has helped pay for the relocation by giving Crediton RFC £400,000 to mitigate the loss of one of the club’s pitches to build its new supermarket in the town.

Approving the latest application, a Mid Devon District Council spokesperson said: “The principle of the development for the relocation of the rugby club to this site is already established by the granting of outline planning permission and this application is for the approval of reserved matters (phase 1) in respect of the rugby club for the car park and pitches two, three and four.

“The scheme layout for the parking area and pitches generally follows the indicative plans provided at outline stage.

“Through the submission of detailed plans and other supporting information, there are no concerns in terms of impact on neighbouring amenity, the wider landscape, drainage or highways impacts.”

Work is progressing on building homes at the new Libbets Grange development at Creedy Bridge.

The development, which is in the parish of Sandford and on land north of Old Tiverton Road and Exhibition Road, will feature 201 houses for private sale, 56 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership and up to five gypsy and traveller pitches.

Land totalling 8.6 hectares has been set aside for the relocation of Crediton RFC, and 1.1 hectares for a new primary school.

You can see the rugby club’s application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 25/00735/MARM.

To see more public notices and planning applications, visit: publicnoticeportal.uk.