CHERITON Fitzpaine Parish Hall was packed with villagers at a Special Information Evening organised by the Parish Council.

Chairman, Dr Charles Sheldrick, introduced representatives of two companies planning to develop land under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

A total of 28 houses were proposed for land at White Cross, and 10 behind Barnshill Close. Preliminary plans were available to see at the meeting.

The general consensus of opinion from the audience was, that although we recognise the need for some more small housing developments, particularly those in the lower price bracket, 38 new houses would overload the village resources.

The field opposite White Cross is very wet, and the road into the village very narrow. It is already difficult for parents to walk their children to the school due to the volume of traffic, including heavy farming machinery.

Most parents doubted that the school would be able to accommodate the larger number of children, although Mrs Harris, Head of Learning, believed that they could.

Another worry is that, although each dwelling would have some parking space and there is already a grave parking problem in the village.

There have been preliminary talks between the developers and David Plumridge, Chairman of the Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop Group, with a view to providing space for the Shop.

Protesters were urged to write or email Mid Devon District Council as soon as possible.

Mary Nunn