Outline Planning Application: The outline Planning Application for land and buildings at Little Bickington Farm, the land to the right of the entrance lane to the farm and the proposed access arrangements on the main road out of the village were formally submitted to Torridge District Council on Friday 14th November 2003. It is understood, subject to confirmation, that the Plans Committee may consider the application on Monday 19th January 2004.

Appointment of Project Development Manager: Regrettably, in spite of inviting seven candidates for interview, it has not been possible to make an appointment to this post. As a result the Project 2000 Committee is now reviewing the proposed roles of both this post and that of part-time Administrator in order to decide how best to meet the overall needs of the Project.

Appointment of Legal Advisors: Following a formal Tendering Exercise a Selection Panel was held on Tuesday 2nd December when representatives of two firms were asked to make a formal presentation. The outcome was a unanimous decision to appoint Trowers and Hamlins, who have offices in London and Exeter, to provide Legal Advice to High Bickington Project 2000 and the proposed High Bickington Community Property Trust. The Lawyers first task, early in the New Year, will be to devise a suitable legal framework and formally register the High Bickington Community Property Trust.

Designing and Delivering the Plans: Work is in hand to produce an overall 'Grand Design Plan' for the Little Bickington site and it should be possible to undertake further consultation on this during February or March 2003. Alongside this important piece of work we shall be assembling an independent professional team to produce and deliver the detailed designs, plans and development procurement strategy.

Affordable and Local Needs Housing: Devon and Cornwall Housing Association are now fully represented in the planning process and, subject to final approvals from The Housing Corporation, will want to start building at Little Bickington by January 2005 at the very latest.

The next few months will be a period when a large amount of detailed and very technical work needs to be carried out. It is the success of this part of the process that will lead to a start on building works on site. There is also a good deal to be done in relation to seeking further funding for the various 'Community Facilities' that have been included in the overall Parish Plans. We shall be seeking new volunteers to help fully work up plans and implement these parts of the overall scheme.