COMMUNITY ACTION FOR A SENSIBLE ACCESS ROUTE
Hi, I’m Nina Cooper working in Blatchcombe, Paignton in Devon for the last 12 months, I have met many people in the local community, they have been developing plans of action, running projects, events and forming groups, the network has developed and gradually the community has mobilised and become more powerful to start making changes in their neighbou
rhood. Some of their impact could affect the whole of Torbay. I met many members of the community in Luscombe Road whilst door knocking, amongst many concerns, they spoke about the plans to build on a green space nearby where horses are kept. Their concerns were mainly caused by the proposed access road which would add extra traffic and danger to an already busy hazardous junction and “clog” Kings Ash Hill even more! Some residents have *septic tanks which run off and drain onto the site, they are concerned about being forced onto mains sewer by the developers. I encouraged them to speak to their neighbours and find out if others felt the same? The result was outstanding and the neighbourhood was soon mobilised, delivering leaflets and door knocking, 47 people turned out at the local Community Partnership meeting and voiced their concerns. A local Action Group was born. Highways, Surveyors and the Council Planning Dept attended the next meeting. It was “very lively” to say the least! next....
The Action Group arrived at the Planning Committee Meeting at the Riviera International Centre, two volunteers were given 2 ½ minutes each to speak on behalf of their community, they were both amazing. They gave many reasons as to why the access road should not run through Luscombe Road. They were definitely listened to as the plans had to be deferred while more research takes place. They are planning to carry out their own research too on the road and the amount of users it already has. Their fight has not finished yet! If the access road goes ahead it could clog the bottle neck on the Kings Ash Road even more. This impacts many people in Torbay. Join our page and please have your say!
