Future plans

The meeting with Devon and Torridge Chief Executives and others on May 25th, at which the revised plans were discussed, was generally positive and as a result the process of preparing the new planning application has started. It is hoped that this will be ready for submission by early November. A Joint Statement was issued following the meeting and this is reproduced below.

Joint Statement of Partners

On the 25th May a meeting took place at County Hall, chaired by Devon County Council's Chief Executive Phil Norrey to receive an update on proposals for development of the High Bickington community. Those present included John Van de Laarschot, Chief Executive of Torridge District Council, Parish Cllr. David Brown - Chairman of the High Bickington Community Property Trust, Cllr. John Rawlinson, Executive Member of Devon County Council, Cllr. James Morrish, Leader of Torridge District Council, and Geoffrey Cox MP. This was the second such discussion since the decision of the Planning Inspector in 2006 to reject the previous outline planning application.

The meeting was briefed on the revised proposals that had been developed to respond to the Inspector's findings and gave careful consideration to whether all parties felt that there was a strong enough basis to submit a new full planning application.

The aim of the project is sensitively to develop the village to ensure that current and future generations are able to benefit from:

• housing that is affordable and can meet the needs of local people;
• education and other essential services that are provided in premises fit for the 21st Century
• employment units that are available to support local business
• sport, recreation and other community facilities are accessible and provide excellence for the local community

Everyone agreed that the local residents and colleagues from all councils and partner agencies had worked so hard to bring this scheme to fruition that every effort would be made to make it a success.

There is still a great deal to be done, and there are still some serious obstacles to overcome, but the meeting expressed its commitment to redouble their efforts to address the challenges that remain. It was agreed that partners wished to work together towards the submission of a full planning application before the end of 2007 and a number of steps will now be urgently pursued to achieve this.

In summing up Phil Norrey spoke on behalf of all present when he said "Many people have put in a lot of effort over the years to bring this scheme to fruition and people across the country are watching to see what we can achieve together and to learn from our approach. This remains an important and exciting scheme and we should do everything possible to make it happen."

Phil Norrey, Chief Executive, Devon County Council
David Brown, Chairman, High Bickington CPT Ltd

Housing Survey and Exhibition

The housing survey forms will be delivered on or around Monday 23rd July, with a return date of Monday 20th August. This will enable residents to come to the Exhibition to discuss any queries that they have before completing the survey. There will also be drop-in sessions for those wishing to talk through their housing requirements in confidence. These will take place on Weds 8th and Weds 15th August, from 11.00am to 7.00pm, in the Meeting Point. These dates will be printed in the housing forms and those who wish to take up this opportunity should contact the Rural Housing Enabler as indicated in the forms.

The Exhibition will take place over the weekend of 28th and 29th July, in the Meeting Point, from 10.00am to 4.00pm on the Saturday and 12 noon to 4pm on the Sunday. Geoffrey Cox, QC, MP will officially open the event at around 1pm on the Saturday.

After the Exhibition there will be an opportunity for residents to comment on the revised plans by means of a short questionnaire.

Community Woodland

The Guided Walk and Barbecue in Quarry Wood on June 14th was a great success. 35 adults and children took part in a scavenger hunt organised by Jeff Adams, and the evening finished with a barbecue - thanks are due to David Brown, Barbara Stewart and Derek Hunter for their help with this. The new picnic table and bench were "christened" - thank you Jane Gibson and the Village Millennium Committee for arranging the purchase of these items - and also Gavin and Kevin Wood for helping to erect the new information boards. We hope that these new amenities will add to everyone's enjoyment of the wood.

Project office: The Meeting Point, North Road, High Bickington.
Open 9.00am - 5.00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and alternate Wednesdays.
Telephone 01769 560161 Email david.venner@highbickington.org