To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Note: A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.
Minutes:
All public questions referred to Application 17/00348/MOUT – Creedy Bridge, Crediton
Mr Grigg asked: Is the committee aware that the club’s currently cramped and outdated site, built over 50 years ago to house just three teams, is jeopardising our future - we are currently struggling to accommodate over 500 members and 16 teams and have problems arranging training and fixtures - but that if the Creedy Bridge application is granted we will be able to provide up-to-date facilities such as a new clubhouse with a greater number of changing rooms and more pitches and we can solve current parking problems?
Mr Newstead asked: Is the committee aware of the valuable work the club does with our growing youth membership – we have nearly 300 junior playing members in 11 junior teams, including three girls’ team, and that if the Creedy Bridge application is granted we will be able to offer more rugby to more people – in particular younger people- in the wider community if we can provide better facilities?
Mrs Keogh stated that I am the clerk to the Upton Hellions Parish Meeting we as a group prepared some individual more specific questions. If the Committee has conducted a site visit you will be aware of the condition of the lanes surrounding the site to the south and west. These lanes allow access to the west side of Crediton including QE School and will be used rather than going all the way round via Exhibition Corner and up through the High Street. Stonewall Lane is already used as a well used short through route east/west of the town avoiding the High Street. Are you satisfied that the single track roads with few passing places will be safe for the joint use of even more two way motor traffic, cyclists and pedestrians?
Mr Kuzara - resident of Upton Hellions asked is it realistic to expect that the residents of the proposed development would use their cars as their first option to travel for any reason when the essential requirements of health and education provision, public transport and retail facility options are 2km away and nearly all the rugby members and visitors also drive to and from the new club?
Mr Casey, resident of Upton Hellions asked is the Committee aware that 93 individuals have been motivated to write letters of objection to this plan and that all the local Councils are affected by the plan? Sandford, Upton Hellions and Crediton all object strenuously?
Ian Cole, resident of Upton Hellions stated that my question is essentially if any of the properties should today get planning permission if they should be sold to councils outside of Devon would the sales be used against the social housing allocation hopefully meant for people in Devon?
Liz Toms, resident of Sandford stated that it’s one of the objectives of new developments that there be sustainable employment alongside these developments. I’d like to ask what plans there are for employment opportunities that go alongside this development?
Patricia Walker, resident of Upton Hellions stated that the validity of the applicants travel plan rests on the assumption that the residents will walk or cycle into Crediton to minimise vehicle movements and impact on air quality and traffic congestion. Has the Committee considered that most journeys will be to transport children or to carry luggage or shopping and it isn’t realistic to expect people to leave their cars at home?
The Chairman indicated that the questions would be answered during the debate on the application.