Joint Press Release from Devon County Council and High Bickington Community Property Trust, 15/12/2009

A community led development in High Bickington has been kickstarted today (Tuesday 15 December) with a major £850k funding boost from Devon County Council.

Little Bickington Farm

After many months of negotiation, the “Section 106 Agreement” (a legal agreement between Torridge DC, the Parish Council and the CPT) has finally been signed, allowing Torridge to formally issue the planning consent. The Business Plan has also been completed and sent to potential funders. Good progress is being made towards raising the required grants and loans from banks, Government and charitable sources. We hope to be able to make a start on the affordable housing, workshops and infrastructure in early 2010.

Annual General Meeting – Change of Date

Please note that the AGM of the Community Property Trust will now be held on Thursday 24th September, at 7.30pm at The Meeting Point, High Bickington. As noted last month, the meeting is open to everyone although voting will be restricted to shareholders.

Nominations for Directors - Reminder

Up to three directors can be voted onto the Board at the forthcoming AGM. Nominations forms are obtainable from the Secretary and must be returned by 17th September.

Land Transfer

Implementing the Planning Consent

We hope to hear soon from Torridge District Council regarding the formal issue of the planning consent for Little Bickington Farm. In the meantime, an implementation package is being discussed with our partners.

On 20th February 2009, almost nine years after ‘High Bickington Project 2000’ was born, we received the long awaited positive decision regarding our application for planning consent for the Little Bickington Farm proposals.

A three page letter from the Government Office for the South West to Torridge District Council concludes with the following message:

The results of the recent Local Needs Housing Survey are contained in this report.

Local Housing Needs Report

Please click the link above to View/Download the Document.

Future Plans

The professional team are now working steadily towards the production of the detailed planning application which we hope to submit in April/May this year. Work is also in progress on the contract to be agreed with Devon CC before the handover of the land can take place.

North Devon and Torridge Core Strategy: Issues and Options Report

Future Plans

Housing Survey

John Scott of the Community Council of Devon has informed us that there was a 48% response rate to the Parish Housing Needs Survey, conducted in August on our behalf. Apparently this is a very good response rate for this type of survey. We look forward to receiving their detailed analysis and report in the next few weeks. The overall results will be made public although individual responses will of course remain confidential.

Annual General Meeting