PLANS for a mixed use development at Binhamy Farm, Stratton Road, Bude will go before North Cornwall District Coun­cil's Planning and Development Committee on Tuesday, March 3, following a meeting held at the site last Thursday.

At February's meeting of NCDC's Planning and Development Committee, councillors agreed with case officer Peter Phillips' recommendation that a site meeting be held. Mr Phillips said: "Having regard to the significance of this application in terms of its scale and potential impact on Bude/Stratton, it is recommended that a full Planning and Develop­ment Committee site meeting be convened."

Around 100 people attended the site meeting on Thursday, an indicator of the level of interest in the plans.

The proposed development, which comprises housing (including affordable housing), employment, retirement village (70 to 80 units), extra care facility, retail, land for a new community building, public open space and landscaping, had been discussed at this month's meeting of Bude Stratton Town Council and residents were urged to attend the site meeting and express their views.

Concerns about the development have been expressed regarding flooding, increased traffic, the loss of a green field site and wildlife, the effect the development will have on the town centre, including the economic impact on the town's shops, and the possible strain on the infrastructure, including the schools, medical centre and dentists.

In a letter to the 'Post' John Acres, Director of Planning for Catesby Property Group said: "Catesby's plans for Binhamy Farm represent a potential multi-million pound investment in Bude, creating up to 500 jobs, increasing local spending power and providing badly needed homes for local people."

He added: "Any development, if approved, will not occur all at once. It will be phased over a period of 10-15 years to make sure the effects on Bude will be gradual and controlled. If Bude is to thrive, development must occur, bringing new investment, new enterprise and new jobs, as well as new business to the shops in the town centre."