Thank you to all those who have provided written comments on the plans exhibited at the recent Exhibition and Parish Consultation Exercise. These, together with other comments made directly to members of the Committee, were considered at a Project Planning Day held at County Hall Exeter on Friday 10th January 2003. Those participating in the Planning Day included representatives from: Devon County Council, Torridge District Council, High Bickington Parish Council and High Bickington Project 2000. At the end of the day a representative group met with John Burnett M.P. to brief him on progress and to seek his assistance with approaches for practical and financial help from the Government Office South West and the Regional Development Agency.

The overall response, gained from the recent consultation exercises, has been extremely positive although, as we expected, a small number of people have expressed concerns about some aspects of these initial proposals. Generally the issues raised have related to site access, numbers and types of houses to be built, sightlines and loss of view, the amount and location of land to be used for community woodlands, traffic and parking. There have also been individual queries raised by people who have properties with boundaries adjoining Little Bickington Farm. All of these responses are being carefully assessed and the Project Architect has been asked, wherever possible, to make changes to the initial plans and to bring proposals back to the group for further consideration.

Alongside the work to be undertaken by the Architect a number of small 'Project Teams' are being set up to identify and collate:

• relevant information
• current, future and potential issues
• resources or solutions required to address issues
• employment opportunities
• financial requirements and potential funding sources

The groups will include community representatives as well as 'experts' from the various public bodies associated with the project.

Once these groups have completed their work a further round of local consultations will take place prior to the submission, hopefully by early summer, of an outline planning application.

Please remember that this whole exercise is about local people being able to participate in deciding the future shape of our community. Accordingly, if you have any views or concerns about the project then do share them with a Member of the Project 2000 Committee or with one of our Parish Councillors.