Agenda item

To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from the public and replies thereto.

Victoria Pugh spoke in relation to item 10 on the agenda, ‘Tidcombe Hall planning application’: I want to ask the Joint Advisory Committee if as custodians of our much loved and admired Grand Western Canal often described as Tiverton’s most valuable asset, if you would consider very carefully your advice at this time given that the current proposal to build 179 houses so close to the canal bank is the single most important matter affecting the canal in a generation.

I note that last October the developer gave a presentation to you all. Reading the minutes of that meeting, clearly many concerns were raised by you and in the minutes it was concluded that ‘It is generally recognised that the proposed development if it comes to fruition would have a significant impact upon the canal.’ A year has passed, detailed plans have now been submitted by LVA and professional consultees and local residents have all expressed their views on Mid Devon’s website. Committee members will be aware that there are a great many views expressed, the vast majority opposing this development. Do members agree with me that now is the right time for this advisory committee to take a position, to come to a consensus and proffer your advice regarding the impact of this proposal on the canal for now and for future generations? Will the JAC add its voice to the many consultees who have considered the impact of this including, Tiverton Town Council, which is ‘unable to support it’, Devon County Council’s Floods and Risk assessors who object to it, the Highways authority which recommends refusal, Natural England who unusually has quite a strongly worded report, they raise concerns about the dangers from run off and I know that is a concern that many of you share with us, Blundells School and the National Trust which also has considerable concerns, Devon County Council Historic Environment team who again recommend refusal, the Tiverton Archeological group who oppose it and Tiverton Civic Society who object.

Thus I ask, will the Advisory Committee in the interests of protecting and enhancing the canal for the future advise Mid Devon in the strongest possible terms against allowing this development so close to the canal to go ahead? Thank you.

Speaking in relation to item 15 on the agenda, ‘Cyclists on the Canal’, Maureen Gooding stated that: We are mid-Devon residents, and frequent long-time users of the canal, for walking, bike riding, angling and, in the past, canoeing. My husband grew up in the area around the canal basin; both of our sons live very near to the canal.  Like many people it is an important amenity for us, one which we feel very positive about and one which we treat with respect and consideration. It is our experience that on the whole, most people we share the canal with are similarly positive and are good at sharing the country park.  During lockdown, when the local parks were closed, this was the only place our grandchildren could get a change of scene and exercise safely – it was enormously important to them then, as it was to many other residents.  Because it was crowded at times at the Tiverton town end, the fact that they could go out on their bikes and get to less busy areas was a benefit. Not to put too fine a point on it, we love the canal. However, it seems that this love isn’t reciprocated.

Please find below a selection of comments made on the ‘Friends of Grand Western Canal’ Facebook  page with reference to people who ride bikes on the towpath:

·         'Kick them in the canal easy'

'Yep'

·         'Stand under bridges and push them in'

·         'A stick between the spokes stops them pretty quick'

·         'A little nudge when cyclists try and cycle under bridges usually gives them an early bath'

·         'I'd push them in'

·         'If a cyclist met me under a bridge, they'd end up in the canal'

·         'How about tying an old barge rope across the canal from bank to bank. That should sort out any speeding'

And, referring to other walkers:

·         'I just Mow through like its skittles’

·         'I have nudged a very aggressive small dog into the canal before now' (Describing an incident where her own dog had been attacked, in fairness, but worrying that this is someone who frequently posts negative comments about cyclists)

There are also many passing references to 'lycra clad losers'; lycra idiots' that are routinely used in mainstream media to depersonalise and whip up anger in debates such as this. 

With ‘Friends’ like this, who needs enemies?

Is the JAC is aware of the hostile and aggressive tone and frequency of remarks made towards and about people who ride bikes on the towpath on this Facebook page?  Is this page an ‘official’ representation of the Great Western Canal’s perspective? If not, who IS responsible for the group? What steps have been/will be taken by the committee to addressthreats of harm to towpath users by other individuals?  Will the committee deal with misuse or misrepresentation of the GWC name, if that is what is happening here? 

Mr David Barnes spoke in relation to the Tidcombe Hall planning application:

I have lived and worked in Tiverton as a teacher for over 30 years. I am a big fan of the canal. I walk, run, and cycle the canal on a regular basis and as a primary school teacher I have enjoyed all the canal has to offer, its local history, nature, leisure facilities with hundreds and hundreds of local children over the time that I have taught in Tiverton.

The proposal to build 179 houses on agricultural land along the canal as it leaves its urban setting and emerges into the typical Devon agricultural setting flies in the face of both the recently adopted Mid Devon Local Plan review and the draft Canal Management Plan 2020 – 2025. The Local Plan review is the culmination of years of deliberation, consultation, drafting and re-drafting. The Plan sets out strategic policies for development, identify sites for housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental protection. It identifies how local housing needs will be met up to 2035 and it has the approval of national government. The plan to build a housing estate near the canal totally ignores all of this and in doing so is a direct threat to what the Plan sets to achieve for our local area both now and in the future.

Your Draft Management Plan recognises the need to protect not only the canal and its immediate environment but also the setting in which it sits. The proposed introduction to this Plan states that ‘The Plan seeks to influence the wider setting of the canal recognising its importance in the landscape’. Point 15.15 of your action plan identifies a specific threat to the canal and I quote ‘Inappropriate development on adjacent land’. Point 19.14 identifies potential threats to the landscape and again I quote ‘Existing and potential future development within the setting of the canal could harm its attractive rural setting, sense of tranquillity and quality of long views.’

The Canal Action Plan sets out a clear role for this Committee threats posed by inappropriate development. Point 19.14 goes on to identify as a strength and again I quote ‘Well organised Joint Advisory Committee, able to comment on, object to adjacent planning applications and planning policies’. Point 473 describes how effective the Committee has been in carrying out this role in relation to the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extention. I quote ‘The canal’s Joint Advisory Committee has successfully lobbied for the field adjacent to the canal from Follett Road to Manley Lane to be protected from development in order to minimise impacts on the amenity value of the canal.’ This has resulted in designated fields of green infrastructure of approximately half a kilometre wide between the housing development and the canal. The proposed housing estate at Tidcombe Hall would come within tens of metres of the canal and as your action plan identifies will be mostly visible from the canal.

With this in mind it would be inconsistent, irrational as well as being counter to the Committee’s own policies for this Committee not to do all in its power to oppose this planning application. The developers are at pains to convince us that having 179 new houses alongside the canal will have a positive impact, a dipping pond, a café, a trim trail. None of these have been identified as local needs in the Committee’s own action plan nor to my knowledge anywhere else. We already have a dipping pond and the canal’s tow path is Tiverton’s own unique trail par excellence. These are thinly disguised attempts to hide the very real negative impacts the construction and existence a significant housing estate would inevitably have on our canal both now and in the future.

Point 19.12 of the action plan identifies the role of this Committee in opposing inappropriate development such as the one under consideration. The main method for conserving the landscape are as follows: Opposing inappropriate developments which would impact on the canal corridor. In every sense of the word the proposed development is putting it mildly ‘inappropriate’. My question to you today is, will you carry out the role you have so comprehensively set in the Draft Canal Management Plan of protecting the jewel in crown of Mid Devon by formally objecting to the planning application for a housing estate alongside the canal at Tidcome Hall?

The Chairman read out a statement on behalf of Mr Goff Welchman in relation to the Tidcombe Hall item on the agenda:

“The Tidcombe Hall canal side planning application is totally in appropriate for its location. The applicant’s attempts to gloss over the environmental threats are unsustainable. Flooding and pollution risks will clearly exist, given the exponential increase in severe weather events, which we are likely to continue experiencing. The valuable wildlife habitat will also be compromised, while Tidcombe Fen SSSI will also be endangered.

Furthermore, the ambiance of this important tourist attraction will be permanently adversely affected, not just by the buildings themselves, but also by the traffic chaos in the immediate area, which will result from any further housing developments. I hope you will see the necessity to strongly object to this plan.”