A public meeting to discuss concerns about the proposed 500 new homes on the edge of Alphington has been organised by local residents. It will be held at Alphington Primary School on the 25th February at 2pm. More details can be found here.

The ward councillors as well as Cllr Rachel Sutton, current Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport (which includes planning) will be attending to answer questions.

Margaret Clark, ward councillor for Alphington and an Alphington Village resident, has voiced residents concerns about the lack of consultation about the proposals in the City’s Core Strategy.

Speaking at the Full Council meeting on 21 February, Margaret said:

“Although I welcome the Core Strategy as an important document for the city I do wish to raise the concerns I have received and head on the doorstep from Alphington residents regarding the impact of the proposed housing development within the city boundary on the edge of Alphington.

The main concern of residents is the inevitable increase in local and through traffic in the village. They are also concern about the possible density of the developments on the available land, the impact on the current facilities, GP practice, school etc and the loos of the village identity.

As a local resident in the village I did not hear about the consultation period on these proposals and can sympathise with other residents who feel they were not given a proper opportunity to express their views. The 8 week consultation was held at the Civic Centre during June/July 2010. At this time there were 3 Lib Dem ward councillors , one of whom was Peter Wadham, who was Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development i.e. the Core Strategy, who could have insisted that the planners organised a local consultation in Alphington to inform and consult with residents.

Would you agree that there was not adequate local consultation over these developments at the time and residents need to be listened to and involved from now on?”

Councillor Rachel Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development
and Transport, responded saying:

“Thank you for raising this important issue. I would like to reply as Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development.

I realise that the consultations on the Exeter Core Strategy took place in summer 2010, well before Councillor Clark was elected. There may well be questions that could be asked of my predecessor as Portfolio Holder, also an Alphington councillor, Peter Wadham, as to why local people are only now becoming aware of the housing allocation in Alphington in the Core Strategy.

However, as part of the Localism Act local communities now have an opportunity to get involved in a positive way in discussions on how developments take place, where local facilities are sited, what play facilities are provided.

I would welcome the formation of an Alphington Neighbourhood Forum that includes local residents, ward councillors, developers and other partners so people can directly influence how the allocations included in the Core Strategy happen on the ground.

In addition there is an opportunity for Alphington to benefit from the contribution to Exeter City Council from the New Homes Bonus and an Alphington Neighbourhood Forum will be able to engage in discussions about how some of that money could be spent.”

Teignbridge District Council have published a Long Term Development Plan which includes proposals for a substantial urban development on the south west boundary of Exeter next to Alphington. These proposals, which are for a development of approximately 2000 houses, two primary schools, one secondary school and a park and ride scheme, will have to go through several stages of consultation and procedures. This is your opportunity to look at the plans and ask officers from Teignbridge Council questions and express your views.

Cllr Margaret Clark and Labour Candidate Rob Crew feel that it is essential that, like all developments, this new scheme has the appropriate infrastructure, including proper transport links, health centre, sports pitches and open space. It is vital that this development does not have an adverse effect on the roads and resources used by the existing Alphington residents.

Work began on 30 January on Alphington Road from Haven Road to the Marsh Barton junction. Subject to no unforeseen delays, the work is expected to take 6 weeks with the majority of the work being undertaken after 7pm. During the road closures, residents in Princes Street/Regent Street will have access via Cowick Street whilst residents in the Ebrington Road area will have access via the Ebrington Road/Retail Park Close link into Marsh Barton.

Although the work will take approximately six weeks, Alphington Road, itself will only be closed for 20 of those nights. On the nights it is closed traffic will be directed from Exe Bridges along Cowick Street and Cowick Lane, except for those residents and businesses with no alternative access. If you have any issues to do with the works then email customer@devon.gov.uk

Labour candidate for Alphington Rob Crew and Labour Cllr Margaret Clark found that many residents were concerned about the state of the road when canvassing in the area recently, including reports of poor drainage of the road in certain places.

Labour Candidate Rob Crew said, “Hopefully the improvements will sort out the problems which have plagued local residents. However we are keen to know from residents if any issues occur while the work is going on or remain after the work has been completed.

We have made enquiries to Devon county Council regarding plans to widen the road between Marsh Barton and Alphington Cross. Apparently this work is still in the pipeline, so watch this space.

Labour Candidate Rob Crew and Cllr Margaret Clark have been talking to residents who use the zebra crossing on Church Road to get to Mill Lane. Many feel that it is dangerous, particularly as it is used as the route to Alphington Primary School by many children.

A similar situation occurs at the crossing near the church which has also been highlighted to us as potentially dangerous due to it also being used by local children on their way to and from school.

Have you experienced cars failing to stop because they are driving too fast as they approach these crossings?

If you have had any problems, please let us know so we can then lobby Devon County Council to upgrade these crossings.

Margaret and Rob recognise that the issue of cars exceeding the 20mph speed limit in Alphington is high on residents list of concerns. Margaret recently met with P.C. Chris Conway and PCSO Kevin Davies to discuss what can be done by the police and residents.

The Police’s view is that the 20mph Alphington scheme can be enforced and they intend to continue the speeding operations that have already taken place in the Chudleigh and Church Road area. When Devon County Council introduced the 20mph limit the necessary traffic calming measures such as road humps, road narrowing measures and gateways were not put in place at the same time. Margaret has been in touch with Devon County Council to highlight this issue and request that money is allocated for traffic calming measures.

The Police wish to recruit more residents to join their “SpeedWatch” campaign to make drivers more aware of the speed limit. Please contact PCSO Kevin Davies at kevin.davies@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk if you would like to support the Police in reducing the speed of cars travelling through the village.

Tory controlled Devon County Council plan to cut funding for the disability support company ‘PLUSS’, based on the Marsh Barton trading estate.

The social enterprise provides a range of support to people with disabilities and long term health problems helping them to overcome barriers to gaining employment, and many of those who work for PLUSS have a disability themselves. Based in both Exeter and Torbay, PLUSS last year helped around 3,500 people find employment. These proposed cuts of £800,000 over four years could mean many staff being at risk of redundancy.

Labour Candidate Rob Crew says, “It seems strange that at a time when the Conservative led coalition government want more people with disabilities to find employment, Devon County Council plan to make cuts to this vital service which helps people with disabilities find work”.

We are pleased to say that Exeter City council have announced significant investment in the Cowick Barton playing fields children’s play area £46,000.

Residents living near the Cowick Barton playing fields have reported various problems including litter, dog fouling and graffiti in the area. The playing fields are a vital part of this community and should be enjoyed by all.

Cllr Margaret Clark and Labour Candidate Rob Crew have reported the graffiti to the Cleansing Department and requested more litter bins in the park.

Rob Crew and Councillor Margaret Clark have picked up a growing concern about limited space to park for residents around the streets just off Alphington Road, between the Marsh Barton junction and Cowick Barton playing fields. Many residents feel that commuters and visitors working in the area use the streets near the Marsh Barton trading estate for weekday parking, making it difficult for local people to park in their street.

Rob and Margaret would be interested to hear your views and ideas as to how you want us to take this issue forward.

Last summer we ran a successful campaign to ensure that Savills, the owner of Stone Lane Retail Park, paid for a security company to lock the security gates at midnight. The Police, in discussions with Margaret, said that although they have had far less callouts to this car park the late night noise and disturbance could move to a different area.

Unfortunately this is what has happened at the Lidl car park, where groups of “Boy Racers” have been meeting. However, following complaints from residents, local Police met with the manager of Lidl’s and gained permission to ban any cars causing problems. Information from the CCTV cameras enabled the Police to identify car registration numbers and send letters to the registered owners banning them from the car park. The Police then wrote to local residents in Powesland Road informing them of their action and giving a phone number to report any further disturbances.

Having spoken to residents in Powesland Road in the last 2 weeks we are pleased to report that there have been no issues of “Boy Racers” since this concerted Police action. We will continue to monitor the situation and alert the Police of any problems in car parks across Alphington.

We have received the following indication of the timescales, from the Anti-Park & Ride Campaign Group, for the process that will happen after Devon County Council has looked into the many questions which residents raised with them. The estimated timetable is:-

Early Spring 2012 – The additional information, to support the planning application that Devon County Council’s team have been putting together, is due to be submitted. Assuming this happens, the process will be:

Early March – Agenda item at the Development Management Committee. This will be for information only; no decision will be taken and a further site visit by the committee members may be recommended.

March – Second round of public consultation: Devon County Council should inform everyone who objected last time about the new information and give people around 30 days to get their comments on the information and any revised application material to the County Council.

Late March/Early April – Members’ site visit and site meeting.

June – Full Report at Development Management Committee for a decision on the planning permission application.

We are awaiting confirmation from Devon County Council for the exact timescale and we will report back when we know more.

Your local Labour Councillor, Margaret Clark was delighted that Alphington Community Association had been successful in their bid for a community funding grant for £500 for the village hall. The money will be used for a hot water dispenser and an instant water heater to improve the kitchen facilities. As an Alphington resident she attends the Association meetings and knows first-hand the work they do all year round.

A “Decorating Day” is planned by the Association at the Village Hall on Saturday 25th February to paint the hall with the help of volunteers. If you would like to help contact Shelley Ingram (Organiser) on 07962103045.

Margaret also regularly attends the Chatterbox Club on Friday mornings at the Village Hall and it is an opportunity to talk to her about local issues and concerns. Contact her on 428099 to arrange a date and time you would like to meet her there.