CAMPAIGNERS against proposals to build 180 houses and an industrial estate in the parish of Sandford - and 135 dwellings across the road in Crediton Town - have taken to the streets - rural roads around the proposed area!

The Creedy Valley Protection Group was formed to fight the proposals for an area of the Creedy Valley at Pedlarspool, which would see massive development on prime agricultural land and a flood plain. It is also fighting the proposal for 135 dwellings at Red Hill Cross, also on prime agricultural land.

Both development sites are near Creedy corner, Exhibition Road, Crediton, the Pedlarspool proposal falling in Sandford Parish, the Red Hill Cross development in Crediton Town.

The development areas will not be visible from Sandford but it will be for residents of Upton Hellions, East Village and those living nearby on the outskirts of Crediton.

Sandford Parish Council recently debated the Pedlarspool proposal but because opposition has been so strong, it has tonight, Friday, from 7.30pm, organised a public meeting, which will be held in Sandford Parish Hall, where further discussion will take place.

Mid Devon District Council head of planning and regeneration, Mr Jonathan Guscott, has been invited to attend what promises to be a lively meeting.

Upton Hellions Parish meeting has already discussed the proposed development plans.

Many at Upton Hellions say they are "deeply concerned" about the proposed development and say it will have a "far greater impact on Upton Hellions than Sandford".

Many residents are members of the action group.

A statement issued by Upton Hellions residents, reads: "We question the initial concept that Crediton has to expand."

BACK TO FRONT!

"We also question the concept that you have to provide a workplace for all residents in the town where they live. The idea is back to front.

"The Strategy Plan (for development in Mid Devon) should be saying build the industry and jobs near the main communication highways, where the units will attract business because of good access and then build accommodation to house the people that work in those industrial units. In short, build the workplaces near the arterial routes and then build the houses to match.

"Pedlarspool is about the worst place to do any expansion.

"If it is industrial, no business will be attracted because of the lack of access.

HIGHWAY FEARS

"The A3072 is abysmal, terminating in a lorry nightmare at Bickleigh where the road goes over a very narrow bridge and what a good idea to haul freight from the Exe to the Creedy valley over a very noticeable hill, spewing out diesel fumes all the way.

"The A377 is better but not nearly adequate. Exeter Road has a major air pollution problem already and further expansion will exacerbate this.

"The overhill route from Wellparks has not been built. If it is, the route to the Pedlarspool site will have to cross Lords Meadow Industrial site. Hardly an ideal situation."

The statement from Upton Hellions residents adds: "Residential expansion will increase traffic on the A3072 or the A377 and the access to the town up Old Tiverton Road and Jockey Hill is woefully inadequate.

LIKE A DINOSAUR

"Pedlarspool development is, like the dinosaur, a relic of the past.

"When the Crediton bypass was abandoned, the access route fundamentally disappeared, so Pedlarspool should be relegated to the archives of history.

"Obviously, more appropriate would be to, first fully use the industrial units already available, and then, if necessary, build industry on the A377 along the Yeo valley.

"The residential problem could be accommodated on a number of sites unexploited in the town and if this was not adequate, what about the Council-owned land to the South of the town bordering the railway line.

"We think that the Pedlarspool development is the soft option to get the Planning Committee out of a predicament. It is unnecessary, inappropriate, in the wrong place and totally devoid of acceptable access."

David Cottam, from Sandford, said that the Creedy Valley was a "wildlife haven" and said there were "huge traffic issues" with regard to the proposed development.

He said that the Pedlarspool proposal was not, initially, discussed with Sandford Parish Council but, in error, with Crediton Town Council.

APPALLING

Local resident, Roger Bell, said of both housing proposals: "It is appalling that anyone should want to extend Crediton over the ridge and into the Creedy Valley at all, let alone to the vast extent proposed."

Another local resident, a member of Creedy Valley Protection Group, Sue Keogh, commented: "Very few of us knew about this proposal until the draft consultation period was over.

"The people of Sandford still know very little about it.

"I would urge people to attend the public meeting and others which will be held in the future.

"There is also an email address for those who want to join our Group: [email protected]">[email protected] .

"We are looking for support and already we are lobbying politicians at every level. We are also carrying out research for grounds to oppose the development and are looking for alternative sites - one of the reasons Mid Devon District Council is recommending this site is because it says there are no other alternatives.

"We are also looking at legal issues in respect of the Government edict which says 790 dwellings should be built in Crediton before 2026 in the Core Strategy along with industrial provision.

"Plans very similar to this have been successfully challenged in the East of England so we are finding out about this.

"It is a totally misguided idea to build houses and industrial units at Pedlarspool.

"Where it says so many 'hectares of employment use' it should read 'unnecessary industrial or commercial use'."

At the June meeting of Sandford Parish Council the clerk reported 29 emails and letters received expressing concern over the Pedlarspool issue.

For an update to this story see issue 827 available on ooutlets until July 24.