THE mayor of Holsworthy has reacted with extreme concern after he was told of a proposal to re-allocate levelling up funding intended to develop the Holsworthy agri-business park.

Cllr Jon Hutchings has said that it is his understanding that Torridge District Council will be voting on a proposal on Monday, September 22, that would see the £7.3-million funding planned business park re-allocated to other projects, meaning it wouldn’t proceed.

He reported that approximately a month ago, he was contacted by Sir Geoffrey Cox, the member of parliament for Torridge and Tavistock, who said he had learned that things wouldn’t go ahead as planned.

With the 157 page report written by officers at Torridge District Council being discussed in the confidential section of the meeting, Cllr Hutchings said he was compelled to speak out ahead of the meeting as he felt that the loss of the funding for Holsworthy would be the final nail in the coffin of a project the town badly needed.

Speaking to The Post, Cllr Hutchings said: “In March, Torridge were pleased to announce the government had confirmed £20.7-million pounds in capital investment to support a wide range of projects across the district’

“In particular, ‘Among the largest investments is £7.3-million for Holsworthy Agri-Business Park, which will focus on agricultural innovation, retail, and professional spaces’.

“I understand that on Monday councillors will be asked to vote on a paper brought forward by officers to stop the intended project in Holsworthy and divert money away to other projects.

“The impact of this investment not just for Holsworthy but the entire area cannot be underestimated. New investments, new businesses, new jobs and a whole load of money brought into the area’s economy, we need all of the above desperately”

Alluding to a court case between Kivells and Torridge District Council in 2020 over the site, which was lost by Torridge District Council, Cllr Hutchings said he believed this was a factor in the proposals.

He continued: “I believe this is the reason behind the officers’ reluctance to take the project forward even though at a recent Secretary of State visit this specific project was granted a one-year extension. The confidential 157-page report appears to be weighted against continuing the project.

“On Monday night I will be speaking at the Torridge District Council’s open public question time urging councillors on behalf of the residents of Holsworthy and the surrounding area to back this once in a generation investment for Holsworthy.

“The Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme was intended to support the council's strategic ambitions and deliver lasting benefits to Torridge as voted on by Torridge District Council previously. Please don’t turn your backs on that very important and crucial outcome.”

Torridge District Council were invited to respond to Cllr Hutchings’ concerns, and a spokesperson said that the council would ‘not be providing a comment’.

Kivells declined to comment ahead of the meeting, while no response was received by representatives of Sir Geoffrey prior to publication.