A PUBLIC meeting, organised by Sandford Parish Council, was held at Sandford Parish Hall on Monday, July 9 to discuss the planning application 18/00786/MFUL Land at NGR 282727 100936 Higher Road, Crediton to enable councillors to find out people’s thoughts on the issue.

Neal Jillings of Place Land LLP, on behalf of the landowners, has applied for outline planning permission for the erection of up to 65 dwellings, public open space, ancillary works and associated infrastructure including access. A previous application from the developers for 75 homes was turned down by Mid Devon District Council (MDDC).

Present at the meeting were Sandford Parish Council chairman, Elizabeth Dalton, Malcolm Vallance (parish clerk), Simon Trafford of MDDC and Ian Sorenson of Devon County Council (DCC). Other members of Sandford Parish Council were also at the meeting which was also attended by about 20 members of the public.

OUTSIDE BOUNDARIES

Simon Trafford explained that the proposal for a site that was not allocated by MDDC for development and that its location outside of the settlement boundaries of Crediton and/or Sandford and therefore there was no development plan policy support for the principle of bringing the site forward for development.

He said that the planning assessment would require consideration of the benefits and negatives of the proposal as had been the cases with two other local schemes, for instance the Chapel Downs proposal for 120 homes was refused because the negatives outweighed the benefits and in the proposal for the 40 homes at Threshers the positive aspects outweighed the negative and permission was granted.

He added that a number of issues would be taken into consideration including the connectivity between the site and Crediton (although in the Parish of Sandford the site would be an extension to Crediton and its facilities), the impact on the landscape, character, visual amenity and the historic woodland.

CLOSE TO LIMIT

Ian Sorenson of DCC explained that MDDC is very close to reaching its five year land supply figures and with new developments in Tiverton and Cullompton the figure could be reached.

He also answered a question about the possibility of a by-pass in the future saying that since the Link Road was built there were no plans for a by-pass.

A resident pointed out that since the building of the Link Road, Higher Road had become an unofficial by-pass and was not fit-for-purpose.

There was also concern over the junction of Alexandra Road and Higher Road and that it could become more dangerous.

Ian explained that what the developers have shown on the plan DCC does not have a problem with, it would have to be widened significantly. The developers have shown that the traffic on the new road would have to give way to traffic from Alexandra Road and that land would be taken at Forches corner to improve visibility.

A resident pointed out that changing the route of the road will not decrease traffic and the volume of traffic using Jockey Hill.

CONCERNS

Pollution was a major issue and there were a number of concerns from residents including

the proposal that Higher Road could be downgraded for the use of pedestrians and cyclists and that a new road would be located behind the housing development - taking heavy lorries and traffic near the houses and creating noise and pollution

how traffic would cope either end of the new stretch of road such as the pinch point at the bottom of Jockey Hill

how the infrastructure will cope and the impact on the local community

Pollution is already high in the town more traffic will make the situation worse

that figures from the 2011 cenus were used to make calculations and are out-of- date

that the developers could sell the land to another developer

the absence of a Five Year Plan

increased traffic from the garden centre if planning is granted

Schooling was also an issue, particularly as more children would likely be moving to the new development at Wellparks. When capacity is reached at Hayward’s Primary School children will probably go to Landscore which will create more traffic and pollution in the town.

DANGER FOR CHILDREN

One resident pointed out that if Higher Road development is given the go ahead it will be one of the highest points in Crediton and that people living there are more likely to drive and George Hill will become more dangerous for children along with Jockey Hill.

Some residents were very concerned about the danger to pedestrians, particularly children, when lorries and buses mount the pavement to pass oncoming traffic in the Alexandra Road area. They have also noticed the increase in dust and debris from the increase in traffic using Higher Road and say that woodland has been affected with a drop in wildlife to about 10 per cent of what it was before the opening of the Link Road.

OBJECTION

After the Public Meeting the Parish Council met and agreed to submit their Objection to the Application.

A number of concerns were raised by residents at the meeting. What do you think about these concerns and any others you may have?

Please let me know. You can contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .