Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Yes, the railway recently obtained a variation to the PP for some of the land around the Old Station Inn to allow them to commence work on a couple of the bridges.

The main point is that, as part of that variation planning process the owners objected and also stated that they would not sell to the Trust. This was just last month, so I would've thought that this is the current, somewhat negative news

Keith

 

No, but planning permission does make reconstruction of the railway more likely and therefore would tend to reduce the value of the land to anyone other than the railway (because many buyers would be put off by the possibility that the property will be acquired by the railway at some point in the not too distant future, making its future as a pub/restuarnt uncertain). This is the argument made by Mr and Mrs Grob's lawyers in their objection, and it is pretty sound.

 

Sorry Keith - I had Grobs on my mind! I have corrected my original post.

 

I would disagree. There are many more barriers to overcome before the railway can even think to start building. It could potentially fall at any of these hurdles so its position hasn't been strengthened. Only compulsory purchase powers strengthen the powers of the railway and we are a long long way off that situation. If anything, prior to then the price for ransom holdings rises.

 

In general, yes. But that is to assume that time is irrelevant - something that may not be true in this particular instance.

 

Given the costs of reinstating the WHR, where is the funding for the L&B coming from? I assume that Brexit may well mean one potential source has disappeared

 

All contributions towards the cost of reinstating the L&B will be gratefully received, be they great or small.

This page https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/chairmans-special-appeal on the L&B website lists some of the ways that members and non members alike can contribute towards the cause.

Thanks in anticipation

Mike P

 

And time inevitably proves them right

The price for ransom holdings might rise, but a third party would likely be put off purchasing as an investment. When you have two impassioned parties-'I want it' vs 'I don't want you to have it'- then almost inevitably the sticker price gets bigger, £10,000 becomes £15,000 becomes £20,000. Then along comes Stags or Woolley & Vallis to assess a compulsory purchase price and calls it £12,000. Fine if you bought the land speculatively at £10k with existing funds, otherwise not so good

 

The railway is years away from compulsory purchase powers, if it ever achieves them.

 

That is my point- a speculator is unlikely to tie up capital for years and years in the hope of some small profit, but with the risk of significant loss.
I've watched this process unfold so many times....Hedgerley lane farm, M40 across Otmoor, and several dozen access sites when I worked for Network Rail. Only the lawyers get rich on others pride and misery, and the proud become miserable and foot the bill

 

On a lighter note, from "Work in progress" this week.
Apart from Mr hi-viz, its back to the 1930s:

(Photo Nigel Thompson)

 

About half the funding for the WHR came from private donors though. So you need more than just grant money.

The EU had a system of redistributing some of its funds based on the relative poverty of various areas. Gwynedd being one of the poorest in the EU benfitted quite significantly from that. The UK government however likes to distribute money based on who votes for them. So you never know there might be different sources available for a railway in Devon that there weren't for a railway in Gwynedd.

Tim

 

Which, of course, would depend very much on what brand of government we end up with...

 

Good to see the pictures of the small Peter Pan” and “Lorna Doone” in Devon County Council livery in the Amerton Railway thread.

Notice this weekend the Old Station Inn is hosting the Little Bridge Stock family festival.

The now published letter from the Old Station Inn's owner's solicitor makes sad reading.
Presumably the L&B Blackmoor Company plc will have to sell more shares or get a commercial loan to match the commercial valuations of the Old Station Inn's business, otherwise the current owners want the proposed conditional PP turned down and they can then sell the inn and land to someone else at the market rate valuations? (the railway might then need to get a new route avoiding Blackmoor Gate?)

They are also saying the inn is in good order and does not need renovation and want assurences the current 20+ staff will keep their jobs.

 

The PP has already been passed by the council

Keith

 

What the value of the commercial valuation and, what you get for it can be two totally different figures and is based on hope that some muggins will pay this price.

 

The solicitor seems to say it is conditional?

 

But that raises the question: "conditional upon what?"

 

The two submissions from Foote Anstey - one for the Grobs, who are long-term objectors, and the other for the Shepherds, who are naturally keen to obtain as much as they can for their property - were in response to the recent planning variation application, and both were objecting to the approval of application 66617.

Their objections were not considered by the LPA to be strong enough, hence the application was granted in full, so that is the end, if not of the story, then at least of that chapter. I understand that, if all else fails, there are provisions for including CP powers in the Transport and Works Act Order. (speaking on behalf of myself, and none other).

Incidentally, the L&B Facebook page is advertising a major music event at the Old Station Inn this weekend, so it isn't all doom and gloom in North Devon! https://tinyurl.com/y3ulhy2f

 

Thanks for the update

Lets hope something is sorted between the current landlords and L and B railway without using CP powers , rather than the old station restaurant being sold to "some muggins" person or catering company with no interest with the railway?