Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

There are worse things to invest in!

 

I will admit it does feel a touch complex sometimes that the L&B has such a sizeable number of different organisations, but I suspect there is a good reason for this, and no doubt over time as the railway develops most of these will be all dissolved and merged together officially into one overarching body, most likely the L&B Trust. Their all serving specific purposes, but in the end are all working towards one goal, the rebirth of L&B. Can't argue with that aim and prospect.

 

Anyhoo, the Trust as a charity couldn't run a pub for profit.

 

New link (I wonder what the Park officers thought of the threat to drag them thru the mud...?)
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/first-phase-multi-million-pound-1306343

 

Each sub group/company has been set up to do a particular job and to take advantage of company and charitable law as it stands, As Meirion has said a charity can't run a pub.

Over the past few years both the charity and company sectors have been subject to reviews on how to be managed, there is now such a wide variation on different bodies, it is not longer correct to say that there is a one set up fits all.

I am sure over time most of these companies or subsidiary charities will be merged in to one or other main groups of the L&BR Group.

 

I am delighted with the news.

I have read the above link.

"The first phase of the proposed rail link, between Killington Lane and Wistlandpound Reservoir, was split into five planning applications.

The first four were approved but a decision is still pending on the final application to demolish a bungalow at The Halt in Parracombe to make way for the rail line.

If the application is successful the bungalow will be replaced with two semi-detached houses, one for railway staff and another which will be affordable."

Can anyone throw more light on this please?

Cheers,
Julian

 

Good news. Not just for the Railway, but also for the local economy. Look at Porthmadog, dying on its feet before the Ffestiniog Railway revival, and now prosperous.

John

 

The five applications were:

62/50/16/001 Proposed re-instatement of railway line and ancillary development. Land between Killington Lane and Blackmoor Gate, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon

62/50/16/002 Proposed erection of engine shed (1749sqm), formation of railway sidings and change of use of agricultural barn to railway workshop. Rowley Moor Farm, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, Devon

62/50/16/003 Proposed change of use of site of former hotel to railway car park with 162 car parking spaces and pedestrian underpass to station. Site of former Blackmoor Gate Hotel, Blackmoor Gate, Barnstaple, Devon

62/50/16/004 Proposed demolition of public toilets and shelter, relocation of public car park, erection of new toilets and interpretation building together with provision of temporary public car park (amended description). Site of current public car park, Blackmoor Gate, Barnstaple, Devon

62/50/16/005 Proposed erection of two semi-detached dwellings replacing bungalow demolished to allow re-instatement of railway line - one local needs affordable and one for occupation by railway staff. The Halt, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon

As I understand it, the first four were approved. 001 includes the demolition of the bungalow, which sits astride the original trackbed.

005 was intended to provide two homes close to the site of the original bungalow. This was rejected on grounds of proximity to existing properties, difficulty of access, and the lack of need for local affordable housing.

There was also an additional application, for temporary use of an existing Highways Depot for temporary storage/recycling of waste material. I haven't heard the result of that application as yet.

 

3.15 in on the local news after the 6 o'clock bulletin. (Will disappear from iPlayer tomorrow evening)

 

Blooming fantastic news! where do I send the cheque? (not for the whole lot, sadly)

 

Cheques, cash (any currency), bearer bonds, postal orders, bullion, or any other form of funding can be sent to: "The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, BARNSTAPLE, EX31 4RA"

 

Just settling in for a celebratory viewing of "Flying The L&B", pint in hand...

 

Having watched the news bulletin, I think I can safely say the descriptions of Mrs Grob on here was not exaggerated...

It'll bring forth terrible pollution to our skies she says! Bet she has a Range Rover though...

Honestly it would seem to me most their objections and disgust is centred around their own personal issues, not so much for everyone else living in the area.
Even her daughter seems to speak of the railway as just toy trains and the usual put downs, but little said of anyone else's supposed woes due to this project...

Though with all the negativity they've been speaking about this project, it really was only giving a strong sense of déjà vu... I wonder why... oh yes, it was bad talk like this that surrounded the WHR!
I wonder how that supposedly air polluting, scenic destroying, oversized train set went...? Probably nowhere...

 

“It’s environmental vandalism and we will fight this at every stage and we will win, meanwhile we will drag the Exmoor National Park, and its members, through the mud.”
That's quite a quote to be out there in the public domain.

 

Somewhat injudicious language that may well not go down with the Judges.....................

 

It strikes me as a sure fire way of guaranteeing a sympathetic hearing on appeal and moreover a generous CPO valuation.

 

"I'll scream and scream and scream until I'm sick. That'll teach 'em."

Spoilt brat - sometimes I think Lenin had a point, Tory though I may be!

John

 

Are they actually able to legally challenge the decision? I didn't think it was possible to appeal an approval?

 

Sadly, yes. The Bodmin and Wenford Rly got permission in about 1996 to relay track to Wenfordbridge, and some local luvvies who preferred trucks in narrow lanes to goods trains got a judge to second guess the decision. Later, the china clay works closed, but not before chief luvvie had sold up and moved away!

John

 

As Paul Hitch noted a few posts ago, one can appeal to the High Court claiming procedure was not followed properly (material informality). Whether these good folk decide to do that might depend on their lawyers' advice, or they may just decide to do that whatever the advice. One assumes ENPA has been exercising an abundance of caution, so that might be time-consuming but should be nothing to worry us too much. I don't know the Bodmin details, but under current regulations a judge can't overturn a decision to grant PP purely on luvvies' wishes, but because the procedure wasn't followed properly.

I think it is also possible for the Secretary of State to 'call-in' planning decisions, but I'm unsure whether that can be done after an authority has made a decision (rather than before). I assume also that people can object at the TWAO stage?

Not there yet - but on the way!!