By Sue Read

MORE than 130 people showed strong support for their “local” when they went to an extraordinary meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council in Yeoford Community Hall on Tuesday evening.

They were there to protest against the planning application from the landlord for change of use of the Mare and Foal from public house to residential.

After about an hour and a half, having listened to a number of members of the public, Mid Devon District Council’s Area Planning Officer Simon Trafford, and a spokesman for the Save Yeoford’s Mare and Foal Action Group, the parish council decided unanimously to defer its recommendation on the application until there was more financial information.

Parish council chairman Cllr George Mortimer proposed that its council meeting on October 3 be held at Yeoford when the full information would be available.

It was said the property had been for sale for two and a half years. In answer to comments that offers to buy had been turned down, the landlord’s agent, Nigel Cant of Woodland Head, Yeoford, explained how each had fallen through.

He had put in a four page letter answering many of the points raised in the objections so far received.

Mr Cant was at the meeting but as a villager not as agent. His letter was read by Cllr Mortimer.

For the Action Group, Carl Wholey explained that the pub had been made an asset of community value in 2014.

He added that the village not trying to buy the pub then was because the process was long and difficult rather than a sign it was not viable.

It was also said that the last valuation of the pub was nine years ago, partly based on the previous owner’s trading and not a fair reflection of the current value.

Mr Wholey added that the pub was very much needed and wanted by the community and with a suitable and focussed business model could be extremely viable, offering a unique service to the local and wider communities. His comments received long applause.

It was said that the Mare and Foal was unique being so close to the railway, the Tarka Line, and there was the talk of developing the Okehampton line, which would benefit Yeoford and make even more use of the pub.

There was more talk about the valuation and Mr Trafford said that if there were matters the district council needed to look at further there would be more discussion with the applicant and his agent. The planning committee would want to know that the financial information was robust and up-to-date.

Cllr Mortimer told the meeting that they had done the right thing by turning up, showing the amount of interest and support there was for keeping the pub.

Still talking finances, when it was observed “do you expect a full-time salary for a part-time job if you are only open for 27 hours week” there was applause.

A letter of support was read from Hittisleigh Parish Council which said that, as a neighbouring parish without a pub, it recognised the need for the facility.

Cllr Richard Scrivener emphasised that the parish council does not make the decision, that lies with the district council. The parish council can only recommend a course of action.

Councillors were unanimous in voting to leave its decision on making a recommendation to the district council until after the August recess when more information would be available.