TDLP PART 2 CHAPTER 8 - HIGH BICKINGTON LOCAL CENTRE

Introduction

8.1 High Bickington is situated on the B3217, approximately 13 km (8 miles) south of Barnstaple and 11 km (7 miles) east of Great Torrington.

8.2 Development has centred around the old village core, immediately to the west of the B3217. With the development of Barton Meadow, the village has grown to the north. During the period 1995 – 2001, 56 houses were built in the Parish, the majority of which are at Church Meadow and at Highfield Close, a substantial site of 3.8 hectares to the west of the village centre. The only outstanding residential commitment at April 2001, including sites under construction and with planning permission, was a single house in High Bickington village.

Future Development

8.3 High Bickington provides a significant range of services, all key services, and other basic services. It is identified as a Local Centre within the local settlement hierarchy. Policy DVT1 applies to development proposals within the development boundary and Policy HSC6 to any additional housing proposals outside the boundary.

Infrastructure

8.4 There are no identified sewerage infrastructure or sewage capacity deficiencies at High Bickington. Additional development of a scale appropriate to the settlement would not be prejudiced by inadequate treatment facilities.

Conservation

8.5 The centre of the village is characterised by numerous interconnecting lanes and streets that form a historic core of considerable character. There are many buildings of historic and architectural interest, including a number of Listed Buildings. The majority of the village is included within a Conservation Area. The District Council designated the Conservation Area in 1991, as defined in the SPG for Conservation Areas.

Social and Community Services

8.6 The village of High Bickington acts as a focal point for the surrounding rural communities, providing a wide range of services and facilities appropriate to its status as a Local Centre. Within the village there are three pubs, a village store, a post office, a church, a primary school, a doctors' surgery and a village hall.

8.7 There is a range of formal play areas in and close to High Bickington. To the south of the village there are tennis courts, a sports ground, and playing fields that are used for football and for cricket. Church Green and Rectory Garden also make an important contribution, providing informal open space within the village. The Parish Council is pursuing a new village hall and recreational open space, the site for which is subject to Proposal HIB1.

Proposal HIB1: West of Barton Meadow

A site to the west of Barton Meadow as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated for recreation uses and for a new village hall.

8.8 The District Recreation Strategy identified a need for additional leisure provision in High Bickington. The established needs of the village detailed in Appendix 5 of Part 1 of the Plan confirm the need for an additional playing field, recreation space, and a play area. The Strategy also recommended investigation of upgrading the tennis courts, or the provision of a new multi-use games area, and to keep under review the need for an improved second senior football pitch and a separate cricket pitch. The Parish Council also has identified deficiencies in accommodation for indoor sports facilities and the need for a children's play area. Where there is a community need, the LPA seeks to negotiate appropriate contributions from new development. Alternative development proposals for the scheduled major site, Proposal HIB3 to the north of the village, may generate the need for off-site built sport facilities to serve the area. An appropriate contribution toward the provision of such facilities may be negotiated.

8.9 A site of approximately 1.7 hectares to the south west of the village is allocated for recreation use. The site, as defined on the Proposals Map, is well related to the recent residential developments of Highfield Close and Church Meadow. Access to the site should be achieved from Mill Lane. The route of the footpath that crosses the site will need to be diverted to maintain the pedestrian link onto Mill Lane if the form of development impedes access to or across the footpath.

Proposal HIB2: Mill Lane

A site south west of Mill Lane as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated for recreation uses.

Employment

8.10 Employment locally is limited to agriculture and services provided within the village. It is considered appropriate to provide the opportunity for economic development within the village. Small-scale employment development would help to reduce the need to travel and would lend support to the local economy and to the community.

8.11 A site of approximately 1.6 hectares (4 acres) on land to the north of the village has the benefit of consent for a mixed use development comprising rural workshops and local needs affordable housing. The site will be accessed from the B3217, providing appropriate traffic calming northward beyond the new junction. Proposals to develop the site will secure appropriate landscaping and screening in accordance with Policy DVT8. In view of the exceptional nature of the consent and the proposal, based on an assumed community need, the Proposal site is located outside the identified development boundary for High Bickington.

Proposal HIB3: North of the Village

A site to the north of the village as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated for a mixed use development comprising rural workshops and local needs, affordable housing subject to the provision of:

(a) traffic calming at the High Bickington gateway from Barnstaple; and

(b) a contribution to the cost of built sport facilities may be needed to serve the area.

Housing

8.12 The development boundary has been drawn tightly around the existing built-up area to protect the surrounding countryside from encroaching development.

8.13 The development opportunities provided by sites allocated and currently available, including a site of 0.7 hectares adjacent to Town Farm and infill plots, are considered sufficient to accommodate the needs of the village.

8.14 It has been estimated that High Bickington's contribution to the strategic housing requirement 1995 – 2011 will amount to about 108 units, which will address housing need in support of the village's Local Centre designation.

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