Galmpton Residents’ Association News Flash
SAFEGUARD GALMPTON WARBOROUGH COMMON
Please review this regularly for updates. We are currently waiting for the date of a public enquiry.
Torbay Council proposes creating a longer left filter lane at Windy Corner, across the present bus stop, to speed traffic onto the ring road. They have requested an order from the Secretary of State to take a strip of 1208 square metres of land from the Common, from Langdon Lane to well past the War Memorial, notionally "exchanging" it with 1226 square metres of lower quality grass verge at the start of Bascombe Road (which is already, of course, open to public access). To be legal the ”exchange“ land must be “equally advantageous”. We fear that this could create a precedent for more widening in the future and have a number of concerns. GRA are consulting a lawyer specialising in the Laws relating to the Acquisition of Common Land.
The Council have timed the Publication of the Public Notice, to acquire the Common Land to coincide with the Summer holidays, when many people are away and there is a very short period to respond, clearly hoping for a low response rate.
We have requested every resident to write to express their opposition to the proposal to ensure it is either rejected or referred to Public enquiry. Objections must be received by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol by 17 August 2010.
Copies of the Initial Public Notice published on 26th of July 2010, and accompanying plan showing the acquisition land and exchange land, can be viewed here Or on Torbay’s website: www.torbay.gov.uk .
The original plan was displayed at a council consultation in the Village Hall in June 2006. 240 residents attended and 81% voted against the proposals, feeling they were unnecessary. !n their written comments they sent a strong message: “Hands Off Our Common”.
Many thanks for your support.
GRA Committee 7 August 2010
E-mail: webmaster@galmptontorbay.org.uk