Results from the members' development options vote

As our members will be aware we recently presented several extension options following the refusal of our planning application to Cricket Field Lane. We had a great response from both the UK and further afield with online and postal votes being submitted and we thank everyone for their time in considering this important matter.

We are pleased to be able to announce the following results.

The total number of responses received was 1047 of 3063 sent, or a response of 34.2% overall. Of the total amount, 24.6% of responses were sent back online and 75.4% by post.

Members were clear with regards to appealing against the Cricket Field Lane planning refusal decision, with 97.0% responding ‘No’ to appealing.

The first and second preference votes for other options were as follows.

Options

C:  Resubmit the Cricket Field Lane extension proposal (0.6 miles) but with alternative arrangements to mitigate setting concerns identified in the refusal notice

D:  Submit a new planning application to extend the line to the original Parracombe Halt. (0.75 miles)

E:  Plan for an extension from Woody Bay to Caffyns (1.6 miles)

F:  Develop the Blackmoor to Wistlandpound route and open it as a second operational line (1 mile)

G: Extend from Chelfham North and/or South (up to 3.3 miles subject to further land acquisition)

H: Concentrate only on the Woody Bay site

None (2nd preference)

The voting results showed a clear first preference for Option D: Submit a new planning application to extend the line to the original Parracombe Halt with 71.1%.

Option F: Develop the Blackmoor to Wistlandpound route and open it as a second operational line was the 2nd first preference vote with 22.9% and also the highest second preference vote with 33.6%.

It should further be noted that Options D and F also scored the highest share of combined first and second votes with 31.8% overall. The second-placed combination was Option D and Option E (Plan for an extension from Woody Bay to Caffyns) which received 13.3% with the third, Options F and D, securing 9.8%. Other smaller combinations made the balance when considering the combination of votes. 

Therefore, considering this clear steer from the membership, and as outlined in the members’ information pack, we will now start development work on Option D with a view to submitting a planning application. This will include further maturing of the business case, business plan, project plans and cost estimates. During this period we will engage with planners, neighbours and local stakeholders. 

In parallel, again recognising members’ preferences, we will continue to develop Option F between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound but with this as a secondary priority to the activities as part of work on Option D. Should land become available between Lynton and Woody Bay, we will also pursue any opportunities there with vigour.

This information will also be published in the next members’ newsletter.