News

May 2011

We have indicated to the City Council that we would like to make a Representation at the Examination of the Exeter City Council Core Strategy. This follows our initial comments on the Strategy.

We made four Representations. The first three of these welcomed the Council’s Core Strategy policies. These covered the areas of total housing targets, prevention of coalescence between Topsham and Exeter and the protection of the Landscape Setting of Topsham. Our comments on these aspects were ’welcomed’ by the City Council.

Our final Representation dealt with the area covered by the Newcourt Area Master Plan. We have signified that we wish to Appear at the Examination to support the points we made. This is because although the City Council ‘noted’ our points about the need for necessary infrastructure improvements, they have not produced any detailed plans or budgeted programmes for the provision of these works. In addition, we wish to support our argument that it is important that the choice of the proposed Gypsy and Travellers site is made before the surrounding area has been developed for residential purposes. The City Council ‘noted’ our comments but since that time they have said they need to reconsider their choice of preferred site.

We wait to hear when the Examination will be.

The Topsham Society is organising this year's Topsham in Bloom competition.

The categories will be:
• Residential front gardens Residential containers (window boxes, hanging baskets etc)
• Shops
• Non-residential (pubs, clubs etc) and
• Community Group displays

Judging will take place during the week commencing 13 June.  The winners will be announced and trophies and certificates will be presented in August. Entry forms are available at Topsham News (or contact David Woods on 874901).

We are pleased to announce the winner of this year’s Enhancing Topsham Award. It has been made to Kathryn and Paul Russell for the repair and refurbishment of the Hayloft Coach house at Follet Lodge, Topsham. The Award will be presented at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 23 June at the Malt House at the Globe Hotel.

ELIZABETH HUBBICK

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