The year started with the planting of a 5 acre Community Woodland in Quarry Field at the south west corner of the development site. 63 children and 53 adults were involved in the planting over three weekends. In June the planting project was recognised by Barnstaple and District Civic Society with two conservation awards. (In January 2007 the woodland received planning consent for public access.)

After several months of preparation a detailed Development Appraisal and Financial Plan was published to support funding bids. The Plan estimated the total cost of the development to be £15 million, to be raised by a combination of land sales, development gain and loans & grants from both traditional and non-traditional sources.

Following the announcement of a date for the Public Inquiry (17.01.06) a Planning Strategy Group was formed to coordinate partners’ evidence to be presented to the Inspector. The parties to the Inquiry were: the Parish Council (represented by HBCPT); the District Council (planning authority); the County Council (owner/co-sponsor) and Head Projects (for presentation of the Master Plan).

An application to Sport England’s Lottery funded Integrated Facilities programme was prepared – for up to £300,000 towards projected costs of the community and sports facilities. This was approved but, as a result of the refusal of planning consent, following the Public Inquiry, later withdrawn.

A Sustainability and Renewable Energy workshop, held in September, brought together the CPT and project professionals with representatives of the RE technologies and local authority sustainability officers, to discuss the way forward on these issues.

The revised Master Plan was adopted by the Parish Council in September and was exhibited over a weekend in October. It was generally well received by the 75 local residents who attended.

Proofs of Evidence were sent to the Planning Inspectorate in early December. After much lobbying it was agreed that the venue for the Inquiry would be the Church Hall in the village, rather than the distant District Council offices, to be more convenient for residents.