CREDITON'S Neighbourhood plan is on track and making good progress, it has been announced.

During January and February, household surveys were delivered throughout the town by members of the steering group and volunteers from the Crediton community.

The steering group has been pleased to see so many completed surveys collected and taken to the council offices.

Almost 1,200 were completed, a response rate of about 40 per cent which is four times the expected return from a postal survey.

Laura Conyngham, a member of the steering group commented: "We're very grateful to everyone for their input.

"People who completed their surveys and handed them back several weeks ago may be wondering what has happened to them.

"Well, thanks to a small army of even more volunteers from the Crediton community, the completed household surveys have been entered onto a data base over the last few weeks.

"The data is now being professionally analysed and a detailed report is expected by the end of the month."

Over the next few weeks, the steering group will be looking at the report and starting to work out the key objectives for the plan and the policies that will be needed to achieve it.

Rod Brookes-Hocking, representing the town team on the steering group explained: "There will be opportunities for people to comment on the plan as it develops.

"We'll hold at least one public exhibition to let everyone know what's happening.

"Anyone who uses the internet can check on progress and special events at: http://www.CreditonNP.co.uk">www.CreditonNP.co.uk .

The steering group has also surveyed the town centre businesses with, so far, about a 50 per cent response rate.

"We'd like it to be a bit higher than this," Rod continued. "The High Street is a crucial part of our town and we need as much information and as many views from our shops and services as we can get."

Every business on Lords Meadow has had a survey delivered but the response rate has been much poorer, less than 10 per cent.

"It's a pity if we don't get views from the industrial area," Laura said, "and the results here are a bit disappointing.

"These businesses are also part of our town and an important part, too.

"We'd really like to include them in the plan – certainly more than one in 10 of them."

Any town centre or Lords Meadow business can complete a survey online at: http://www.CreditonNP.co.uk">www.CreditonNP.co.uk , click on "Consultation" and choose the appropriate survey.