COUNCILLOR Georgina Ford was thanked by fellow councillors at the October meeting of Sandford Parish Council for attending a recent Mid Devon District Council planning meeting when she spoke and presented the parish council objections with regard to the planning application (17/00348/MOUT Land at NGR 284185 101165), Creedy Bridge (Pedlarspool), Sandford, for 257 homes in Sandford Parish.

Members were disappointed, but not surprised, that the application had been granted permission. A meeting of the finance committee is to be called to formulate a submission for S106 funding in respect of this application.

The clerk reported on issues at Creedy View over parking and maintenance of the planted verges.

On contacting the Housing Association he had been advised: “Falcon Rural Housing is aware that there are alleged problems with parking in Creedy View, however, this is exasperated by residents of the private homes who keep parking in the spaces that we own and that are for Falcon residents only.

“Consequently, if private residents use our spaces then it will force our residents to park in the street and actually, I cannot blame our residents for doing so.

“We are currently in the process of getting signs made for our spaces to mark them as Falcon residents use only – so hopefully, with the private residents not parking in our spaces (especially the spaces allocated to be specifically not occupied all the time and for the sole use for visitors to our residents!) any issues should sort themselves out.

“The strip of land that has been reported is nothing to do with us and will still be within Summerfield’s remit as the road has not been adopted. I can also assure the Parish Council that we do have a contract in place with a local man to care for our parking strip and every time we have checked it appears he is doing a fine job.”

A complaint had been received over the broken bench on the playing field, and also the vegetation overhanging the highway at the orchard at the entrance to the village, Cllr Phil Harvey agreed to attend to both of these matters.

Cllr Pat Yeo reported on another well-supported play area meeting, with grandparents and parents. The next meeting is planned for October 30 at 7.30pm at the Sports Pavilion.

It was reported that the Sandford Defibrillator had been accessed (NOT USED) for the first time following an incident at the “Rose and Crown”. It was agreed to send a letter of thanks for Nick Couzens for his assistance during this incident.

County Councillor Mrs Margaret Squires had attended the Devon Association of Local Councils Annual General Meeting and gave a brief report. At the meeting Lesley Smith (County Secretary) had been presented with a retirement gift and enquiries were now being made to find her replacement.

Churchyard maintenance donations were agreed of St Swithun’s PCC £305 and Sandford Congregational Church £139.

The roads at “Gays” and “Thornedges” were on the list of matters to be attended to by the Highway Authority. The boundary wall at “Stonewall Landing” had been damaged and the clerk was asked to report this.

The Parish Council next meets on November 1 at 7.30pm at Sandford Congregational Church Hall.

MJV