Report to High Bickington Parish Council

Weds 12th May 2004

by David Venner, Project Coordinator/Administrator

Outline Planning Application

The full Torridge District Council meeting on 26th April confirmed the Plans Committee's approval. The plans will now be formally advertised as a 'departure' by Torridge as part of the necessary process of referring the plans to Government Office South West for a decision on whether the Secretary of State should 'call in' the application for decision.

Legal Matters

There has been little discernable progress on this front. It is intended that the Project 2000 Annual General Meeting will be put back to July, to allow further time for the Community Property Trust to be set up, and to combine the AGM with the proposed exhibition (see below).

Master Plan for Little Bickington Farm

Architects were interviewed this afternoon (12th May) and, once an appointment has been made, the chosen firm will be asked to draw up the Master Plan for consultation at an exhibition in July, together with the design of the Housing Association and other housing. The Project Manager (Bob Head of Head Projects) is working on the plans for workspace (some new units, some conversions of farm buildings). The community buildings, including the new school, will be designed by Devon County Council architects. Great care is being taken to integrate the design of all components in accordance with sustainability principles, including the landscaping of the whole site.

Advisory Groups

As you may have read in this month's Ramblings, we are setting up a number of local advisory groups to involve the community in the planning and running of the various facilities, and to ensure that the ideas that emerge from these groups are channelled in a coordinated way to the architects and project managers. The groups are Community Woodland and Environment (Chair: Barry Checksfield), Education and Community Facilities (Chair: Jane Gibson), Housing (Chair: Mike Leatham), Renewable Energy and Transport (Chair: Ken Ockenden) and Sport and Recreation (Chair: Jeff Adams).

Housing and Workspace tenants

To follow up and confirm the results of earlier work, interviews and questionnaire surveys are being conducted with those people who have expressed an interest in renting or purchasing a house, and also with potential workspace tenants. There is still time to register an interest. Please contact David Venner, on this or on any other matter concerning the Project, at The Meeting Point, North Road, High Bickington, telephone 01769 560161, or email dgvenner@hotmail.com