The Project Committee’s first task was to find out what the community’s needs were and what people wanted to see developed at the farm and elsewhere in the parish.

Whilst plans for the appraisal were being drawn up the parish was hit by an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. With so many farmers and others affected, a decision was taken to delay the start of the appraisal. The Foot and Mouth outbreak had both an immediate and a lasting effect on the farming community and on the village as a whole. Its ‘knock on’ effects on local people, businesses and services reinforced the need to regenerate the village and the surrounding area in a sustainable way.

The Parish Appraisal (response rate of 72%) was conducted by volunteers from the Project 2000 Committee with advice from the Community Council of Devon. The main findings of the Appraisal were:

1. need for affordable housing
2. a new school and linked community facilities
3. local employment opportunities
4. improvements to transport
5. better recreation and leisure provision

In September 2001, a Steering Group was set up to involve partners in the project. The Group included representatives of Project 2000, Devon County Council, Torridge District Council, High Bickington Parish Council and Devon & Cornwall Housing Association.

This, and all subsequent groups that were set up, were chaired by members of the local community.

A Parish Exhibition and Planning Exercise, in October 2001, was attended by over 300 residents. The event enabled people to put forward their ideas for future development.

The results of the Appraisal were fed back to the community at a public meeting in December 2001.