SANDFORD Parish Council Clerk, Mr Malcom Vallance, speaking at the September meeting of the Council, reported concerns expressed during the summer recess over the Furlongs footpath.

This included the temporary re-routing by the developers of Weavers Way (now re-instated).

He also spoke about damage to the gate post below Brady Close (Steve McCulloch has agreed to repair the gate post) and also the condition of the wall below Park House.

Richard Spurway (Mid Devon Footpath Officer) had agreed to contact the owners to draw this to their attention.

Devon County Council sent notice of the formal Publication of the Sandford 2022 HATOC (Mid Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee) review.

Parishioners have an opportunity to comment on the proposals to DCC (by August 19).

The HATOC proposals were “No Waiting” on specified parts of:

• Back Lane, Sandford the north side from its junction with The Square for a distance of eight metres in an easterly direction Road from West Lodge Cross to Rose And Crown Hill Cross.

• Sandford, the west side from its junction with The Square for a distance of 17 metres in a southerly direction. 
• The Square, Sandford, the east side from its junction with Back Lane for a distance of four metres in a northerly direction.
The Parish Council was concerned that locally the proposals were being termed as “Sandford Parish Council’s Yellow Lines”.

This was not the case as these were the proposals submitted by James Anstee (Devon County Council Road Safety Officer) to the Mid Devon HATOC Order Committee, following his visit to Sandford.

The Parish Council would not be submitting any comments to the proposals. 
It was noted that no mention had been made of the corner of Fanny’s Lane and Church Street.

Open Forum

Four parishioners attended the Open Forum.

A report was given on a second Public Meeting, held at the Lamb Inn, to discuss “possible solutions to traffic and parking in Sandford”.

Following this meeting, attended by 19 parishioners, a three-page presentation had been put together giving details of ideas of possible solutions.

Discussion took part on these findings, and the “Ideas” put forward, it was agreed to include a copy of the presentation as an annexe to the September minutes.


Also to make “Sandford traffic and parking issues” the main item for discussion at the proposed 2023 Annual Parish Meeting.

Police report

No response had been received to the enquiry, sent to Crediton Police Station, as to when the Community Police Team was likely to visit Sandford as part of its plan to cover the Crediton area.

A donation of £200 was agreed to Sandford Millennium Green in recognition of the “weed pulling” activities by volunteers during the summer months.

DCC Highways

Notification of road closures: Elston Cross to New Buildings Cross, October 24, for a maximum period of five days. Mill Lane, October 3, for a maximum period of five days.

An urgent meeting was awaited with Adrian Devereaux (Mid Devon District Council Planning) to deal with several outstanding planning issues at Weavers Way.

A parishioner had copied the Parish Council into their letter to MDDC Planning raising his concerns over planning issues at Weavers Way. 
St Swithun’s Church gave notice of its 500th Anniversary celebrations to take place in June 2023.

Date of next Meeting, October 6 at Sandford Community Sports Pavilion.

As the Parish Hall was booked every day of the week, a venue for winter meetings would be researched by the Clerk.

Malcolm Vallance

Sandford Parish Clerk