Catesby Property Group has said that proposals to bring new investment to Bude, including badly needed homes, jobs and local infrastructure, will be debated at a four day inquiry hearing in the town in March 2010.

The firm says in a statement that the outline application for new housing, including affordable housing for local people, additional employment, a new discount food store and an element of non-food retail, together with a site for a community building and a small retirement village (or care home), was recommended for approval by Cornwall Council officers, but was ultimately refused by councillors at the Strategic Planning Committee in August 2009.

The master plan, which accompanied the application, initially indicated a capacity for some 430 new homes, plus the retirement village, however following input from statutory consultees during the application process, this was reduced to an 'indicative figure' of just over 350 dwellings with additional public open space introduced into the scheme. The 'housing package' is designed to cater for a wide range of local needs, both for young people, families and the elderly.

The proposals include improvements to the local road system, including at the Hillhead junction, contributions to health facilities and education, a site for a new community building, brand new public open spaces and a new 'green lane' leading through to Binhamy Castle, which will be visible to the public for the first time.

In addition, Catesby says it is pleased to be able to announce that the discount food operator Lidl have agreed terms, such that if the appeal is successful, they will look to open a new store on the Binhamy development in 2011.

This will bring the immediate benefit of investment and new jobs to Bude and will broaden the choice of food shopping for local people.

The final scheme for Binhamy Farm emerged as a result of over 12 months of public consultation and discussion with the local authorities, formal consultees, local interest groups and the Bude and Stratton community. This included a stakeholder meeting, a public exhibition, a 'Planning for Real' exercise and information leaflets.

Catesby's case (and the views of representatives of Cornwall Council and other local objectors) will be heard by an Independent Appeal Inspector at a formal Inquiry at the Falcon Hotel in Bude, between March 16 and March 19. It is expected that a decision will be issued in the late spring/early summer.

See this week's 'Post' for a number of letters on the Catesby proposals.