The development of the overall Project continues to move forward with a great deal of both voluntary and professional inputs being required. Architectural staff members at Devon County Council are working on the 'Master Plan' for the Little Bickington site and we are still on course to be able to further consult the wider community on this in late February or early March. Alongside this much detailed and very technical work is being undertaken to ensure the successful implementation of the eventual building programme and beyond.

Outline Planning Application: As outlined last month the Outline Planning Application was submitted in November. We do not now expect it to be considered by Torridge District Council until February 2004.

Project Management Arrangements: We have now reviewed our previous plans to take account of changing needs and priorities. It is now planned to employ, as soon as possible, a locally based Project Co-ordinator/Administrator and to appoint a Professional Practice to undertake the overall Project Management of the proposed Building Developments.

Affordable Housing: Devon and Cornwall Housing have reconfirmed that the Housing Corporation will be providing funds to enable them to build 15 affordable homes. This funding is dependent on them being able to start building at the beginning of 2005 and so a great deal of effort is being put in to ensure that this date can be achieved. We are also continuing to explore possible funding options for the proposed High Bickington Community Property Trust to be able to build the remaining 'local needs' housing at the same time.

Recent Visitors to the Project: On Friday 9th January we received a visit from Robin Nicholl who is a Director of the South Western Regional Development Agency and this was followed, on Tuesday 13th January, by a delegation headed by Sir Ewen Cameron in his role as the Government's Rural Advocate. Sir Ewen is also Chairman of the Countryside Agency. In attendance at this latter visit were Trevor Smale - Chief Executive of Torridge District Council, Gail Bowering-Sheahan - newly appointed Director of Community Services at Torridge District Council and Kay Taplin the Director of the Great Torrington Community Development Trust. In February we are anticipating a visit from Senior Staff, from the Government Office South West, who are responsible for the European Objective 2 Funding Initiative. This is a specific area of funding that we shall need to use for workshop and other business type parts of the proposals. Visits such as these are extremely important in highlighting the specific needs of rural areas such as ours and in building support for the funding that is required to ensure that all our aspirations are fulfilled.

What can YOU do to help? We are now setting up a number of groups that will help work up more detailed requirements for things such as the community facilities, community woodland and open spaces, transport needs, employment etc. If you would like to be involved in any of these groups then please let us know - your views and support are very important to the long-term success of the overall project. Please speak to any member of the Project 2000 Committee or call David Brown on 01769 560873 or Jane Gibson on 01769 560140.

David Brown
Chairman High Bickington Project 2000

14th January 2004