Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I think a degree of restraint of posting on this matter is advisable for quite awhile. I did report this to the moderators awhile back.

Let's just hold fire please!

Cheers,
Julian

 

Be careful what you post. Information taken from the Cambrian Heritage Railways' forum was quoted and used in an objection to the TWAO application. I would not like to see the same happen for the L & B. To negate the objection took time and valuable funds which could have been used to develop the railway. Think clearly before posting.

 

Reinstatement of the L&B is a magnificent project which will enhance the area and the Park and allow this special area to be enjoyed by visitors with minimal impact on the area.

That will make progress by tackling the issues section by section in a sensible sequence, as the Railway’s overall plan makes plain. Thought, care and co-operative working will be necessary for progress. Hopefully, those who, regrettably, presently see the Railway as a threat can be won round.

Such progress will not be made by putting the sensible next section into the ‘too difficult’ Box.

Robin

 

Just received a copy of the new L&B: A Celebration book and it's very good - highly recommended. Reminds us what a fabulous project this really is.

http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/shop/shelf/railway-books

 

I just perused the list of books available and there is an interesting choice - prices to suit all pockets.
It seems to me that we still have a few dark evenings left before the equinox, which will give lighter evenings, so another railway book could be very welcome.

 

I sincerely hope that Keith Vingoe doesn't mind me quoting him, but this was too good not to flag up:

"It's official - we are now an award winning railway!

At the HRA Annual Awards Dinner held on the 10th February 2018 at the Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, The Morgan Award for Outstanding Achievements was awarded to the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway for our new-build loco LYN and her associated carriages. We always knew it - but now everyone else knows it too.

Our thanks to the Heritage Railway Association and to the editors of the UK's four main railway magazines, for making this award. But also, all our thanks to everyone who made this possible by efforts large and small in locations far and wide as well as the significant financial support from all those that contributed the necessary cash to build our £1.5m train set!"

KeithV

 

Just dropped into my inbox confirmation from Exmoor National Park Authority Committee that the planning applications will be considered on Tuesday 6th March 2018 AT Lynton Town Hall.
Confirmation on Exmoor NP website:


http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov....ts/exmoor-national-park-authority/06-mar-2018

Interesting times ahead!

 

Fingers crossed then!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Just found mine, too.
Here we go then, kiddiwinks (With a slight feeling of apprehension!)

 

As has been said before let not get carried away there is still room for the odd pratfall, of course I hope things work out, but until the tee's are cross and the I's dotted, I won't be jumping for joy just yet.

 

Quite. Have skimmed it and the recommendations (approve all elements of the railway bar disapproving the two cottages at Paracombe Halt) are well argued, and to this bureaucrat, well supported.

The recommended requirement to have all the land and funding in place before anything happens (so called "Grampian Conditions") also seem reasonable given that this is a major project in a National Park.

And very clear that the extremely professional efforts of the railway were taken seriously by the planning staff - and this will be very helpful with all types of funders. Best of luck in March and then time for checkbooks!

 

Surely that condition cannot be met by the railway as it stands or in the foreseeable future,? 1. It doesn't have the funding at the minute and it would seem unlikely to get lots of large grants all at the same time? 2. The railway doesn't own all the land and aiui the chief opponent of the extension has said she'll never sell to the railway. Unless CP powers are sought (presumably taking another extended period of time and copious amounts of money with no guarantees) then the railway can never attain this condition.
Sorry to be the bringer of gloom!

Keith

 

Not too sure that "Grampian Condition" applies in a case where the NPA and LA's are broadly supportive. Neither am I too sure that's likely, given the plan L&B plan has always been openly predicated on reconstruction in discrete stages.

When the enquiry gets underway, I hope the Planning Officer will ensure the line between affected parties and interested onlookers is clearly drawn. There have been more than a few public enquiries where those of dubious relevance have influenced outcomes, as I've seen first hand on a few occasions.

 

I'm still working my way through the appendix documents, but as far as I can determine so far the recommended conditions relate purely to the acquisition of land for Phase IIA - not to the route of the railway overall. This seems to me quite important as some objectors have argued that conditions should be applied that would require the entire trackbed to be in railway ownership prior to commencement of work. The railway has argued that phased reinstatement is not precluded by the terms of the local plan, and it seems to me that the recommended conditions follow this view.

The railway has always been keen to emphasise that they do not wish to obtain or use CP powers - and given that they've been acquiring land for decades, I don't think anyone could accuse them of rushing to take the legal option! However, although the planning permission application is important, the obtaining of a TWAO has always been a mandatory requirement for the extension - and the TWAO can of course provide any powers necessary for the construction of the railway.

 

AD29935 is quite right- I should have been clearer last night when tapping on my phone. The Grampian conditions apply to all of Phase IIA being built at once, and explicitly notes that the TWAO can have CP powers

 

Indeed, I interpreted the messages as referring to phase 2a, and my comments were aimed at the fact that the lady concerned controls the land leading to parracombe halt. This could mean a problem in getting all the land before starting work on the extension.

Keith

 

I know several contributors to this forum have expressed concerns that speculating about possible future courses of action might prove unhelpful, and I agree wholeheartedly.

However, to quote directly from the railway's January 2018 "Response to consultees and third parties" which is publicly available on the ENPA planning site:

"It is well understood
by all parties that should any section of Phase IIA not be sold to the Railway
prior to the TWAO process then compulsory purchase powers would be sought,
as is normal in such circumstances."

 

The overall assessment on ENPA is very supportive and it explicitly notes that (i) a TWAO is required and (ii) CP powers are available from a TWAO, providing a hefty hint that ENPA's officials think that the TWAO should grant CP powers if required.

 

I don't think it's speculation to say that the lady concerned could cause a problem in obtaining her section of trackbed given that her family seem to be the primary objectors! Yes CP would, reluctantly seem to be the solution.

Keith (former l&b member)

 

In the long ENPA document, para 15.9 refers to an objectors to made clear she would not sell her land except by a CPO.