Catesby Property Group has submitted outline plans to Torridge District Council for development of part of the former Holsworthy showground site for recreation and leisure uses as part of a mixed use scheme including 150 new homes.
The planning application has been drawn up after public consultation and the completion of a Recreational Needs Survey for Holsworthy and the surrounding area commissioned by Catesby and undertaken by DPDS Consulting.
In a newsletter the company is currently circulating to residents in and around Holsworthy, Catesby say that their proposals will directly help to facilitate six of the eight most popular recreational improvements for the town identified in the public consultation held last year.
These are:
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• An extension to Stanhope Park to include a new multi use sports pitch;
• The provision of new changing rooms and toilets linked to the new sports facility and an upgrading of the cricket pavilion in Stanhope Park;
• The provision of improvements to recreational facilities to Stanhope Park;
• Dedicated parking for Holsworthy bowls and cricket club;
• A skate park for younger people;
• Improved green links to the surrounding countryside.
The plans envisage around 150 new homes on the site including affordable housing. The main access will be to the west of the site, on Trewyn Road, via a new mini-roundabout. Traffic calming measures are proposed on Trewyn Road, funded by the developer, to improve pedestrian and highway safety. Catesby also expects to provide funding from the development to improve local
education and recreational facilities.
Approximately one third of the site will be used for new recreational provision with the remainder for housing. The scheme will include a mixture of one to four bedroom homes, with possibly some elderly persons' accommodation. The new homes will be mainly two storeys in height.
Commenting on the plans, John Acres, Catesby's Planning Director said: "We feel the outline proposals submitted by Catesby offer a tremendous package of benefits for Holsworthy and we have had encouragement and support from local sports groups.
"Although a few people locally have said the site should be retained just for recreational use, this is not a realistic option. It is most unlikely that there would be any improvements to recreational provision in this area of Holsworthy unless new housing helped to pay for it.
"Holsworthy has been identified as a focus for housing growth by Torridge District Council, while the South West Plan, shortly to be finalised by the Government, will require the council to find sites for many more new homes in the future.
"We believe the former Holsworthy showground site is extremely well located in relation to local facilities such as jobs, schools and health services compared with other potential housing sites and can deliver important recreational improvements for the town.
"We feel it will produce a genuinely sustainable development for the town."
If Catesby's outline plans are approved, detailed
planning permission will still be required before any new development can take place. Construction could start during 2010 creating a significant number of new jobs and helping to ensure the continuing vibrancy of the town.