Lib Dems on West Devon BC

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News from West Devon Borough

A Big Win for Lib Dems in West Devon

Kirstie Clish-Green takes Tavistock South

Friday 11 December 2009

A big thank you to everyone who helped yesterday. The Tavistock South seat is one we have not held for 16 years!!

We were told when the election was called that it was a safe Conservative seat and we could not win it.

Results: Independent 170, Conservative - 450, Kirstie Clish-Green - Lib Dems - 523. Turnout 33%, swing from Conservative to Lib Dem from 2007 election - 31%.

Kirstie will be a great councillor who will work to represent the communities views. This a great result for Lib Dems, thanks to a well organised campaign and to all those people who helped out - and encouragement to everyone else to join in for the General Election - only 4 months to go!

Bully Off!! say Residents in Housing Row

No to development on the old Hockey Pitch site

Monday 18 February 2008

There was standing room only as 50 angry residents from the Grenville Drive area of Tavistock packed into the meeting room of Armada Court on the afternoon of Sunday 17th February.

They were there to voice their opinions against a proposed planning application for 33 dwellings on the old Hockey Pitch site.

Max Traber, who organised the meeting, welcomed local ward councillor Alison Clish-Green (Lib Dem, Tavistock South West) who addressed the meeting.

Summarising the comments (for full notes see below) she made at the most recent West Devon Planning meeting, she said: “I objected strongly to the application on the following grounds: highways issues and road safety; flood plain issues; and environmental concerns. I am trying to get the land safe-guarded as a permanent environmental open green space.”

Residents are extremely concerned about the access. The warden of Armada court, Cherry Skibinska, said: “The Ring & Ride bus which transports elderly people aged between 75 and 94 had to leave them all on the main A386 because Grenville Drive was blocked by parked vehicles, thus preventing the bus from accessing Armada Court.”

Terry Balch, a resident of Grenville Drive, is concerned about the bats. “They are a protected species” he said, “and I have a notice in my roof space from the Environment Agency saying so. As far as I know the Council has not undertaken a bat survey.”

Brian McGregor, another resident said: “The issue of ground water is a real concern. The ground there is always wet and where would the water go if the land was built on?”

Cllr Clish-Green responded “I have heard that on the adjoining cemetery site the coffins are sometimes floating in water. I also question if any new dwellings would be able to get house insurance.”

Cllr Alison Clish-Green made the following points to the West Devon BC Planning Committee on 5th February 2008:

Highways

There is a problem with access from the main A386 into Grenville Drive. Because of parked vehicles the junction is very dangerous. This situation would be exacerbated if the development went ahead with a potential of an additional approx 120 vehicle movements per day. There is on street parking on both sides and I question if there is sufficient room for a fire engine to access Grenville Drive in an emergency.

Flood Plain

The hockey pitch is on the flood plain, if any development took place where would the water go? The ground is permanently wet all along the river valley; gardens nearest the A386 at Bishopsmead are really wet throughout the year. I think this is potentially a real problem. The report states that there is concern because of the high water table & also states that soak always may not work.

Environmental Concerns

There are several properties that have bats roosting in their roofs. They have notices saying that they are a protected species. They forage, roost & breed on this site. I don't believe a bat survey has been undertaken. Bats hibernate during the winter so a survey can't be done till the spring. The site is a wildlife haven, an oasis of green open space and home to many varieties of flora & fauna; it should remain as such.