General Election 2017  - North Devon

Peter Heaton Jones has been returned again as our MP.  As we have said numerous times, we are non-political and our supporters come from all the political parties.  We would therefore have been happy to work with whoever won the Election.

We can however say that since our campaign began nearly two years ago, we are grateful to both Peter Heaton Jones, and our Liberal Democrat Parish Councillors, Brian Greenslade and Mair Manuel, for the help and support they have given to us.

  Below are the Statements were given by each Candidate in regard to Manning's Pit during the campaign.

This list was arranged alphabetically by candidate surname.

There was no other significance to anyone's position on the list, whether first or last.

There is also a link to Peter Heaton Jones's letter of objection to the planning application: he was the only candidate to submit one within the Consultation Period. 

(We know the others all support us, and we will be reminding them that objection letters can be received after the closing date - in fact it is good to see that a letter from Ricky Knight has been received this September. We have now linked to it as well.)


Cann, Mark

Labour

I want to reiterate my support for the campaign to save Manning’s Pit.

As with so many planning applications here in North Devon, the absence of an approved new Local Plan has allowed a developers’ free for all with scant regard for local concerns.

I would urge NDC to reject the application for the development of Manning’s Pit and rigorously defend their decision in the event of any appeal.

Nationally - for too long planning has been under-resourced and disempowered, with local planning authorities unable to stand up to big developers.

As a result, planning decisions have become too influenced by narrow economic considerations, with developers’ profit taking precedence over community priorities.

We need properly resourced planning authorities with fuller powers to put people and communities at the heart of the planning process.

Crowther, Steve

UKIP

Manning’s Pit is a classic example of how the current planning chaos – created by the government to try and stimulate the market for major developers – can lead to the destruction of our cherished spaces. In fact, it’s such an unlikely spot to build that it’s being proposed by a speculative intermediary on a high-risk basis. We must resist this until the North Devon and Torridge Councils finally manage to get an approved local plan in place – it has been set back yet again – and stops this anarchy. The government have a created a huge mess in the house-building market, with everything geared to releasing land willy-nilly to big developers, who then bank it in their balance sheets or build estates that they market to overseas investors.

Harvey, Nick

Liberal Democrat

Manning's Pit is a beautiful piece of unspoiled green land on the northern perimeter of Barnstaple.  It has been enjoyed and cherished by the people of Pilton and beyond for generations.  It must be preserved for the future. I am appalled that a planning application has been made to build on it, and I very much hope that it will fail.

Fundamental flaws in planning rules are leading to widespread developments where they should not be happening. Local plans are painstakingly drawn up, determining where should and where should not be built on. But these are meaningless while the Government continues its wretched 'five-year land supply' regime, which enables their big builder cronies to blow local plans out of the water. It is a 'bulldozer's charter'.

If elected as North Devon MP, I will concentrate my energies on challenging these rules and trying to restore to councils and their local communities the power genuinely to determine local planning issues


Heaton Jones. Peter

Conservative



I am absolutely opposed to any development at Manning's Pit and have always supported the excellent campaign organised by local residents. Among other things, I've brought the regional head of the Environment Agency here to view the site, and lobbied North Devon planners to ensure our voices are heard.

I will continue to do everything in my power to stop these unacceptable plans, but without turning it into a party political issue. The application is speculative and seeks to take advantage of the vacuum before our Local Plan is finalised. The developers should be given a clear message - hands off Manning's Pit. I'll keep doing all I can to work with the local community and save this beautiful place.

Peter Heaton Jones's letter of objection to the Planning Department

Knight, Ricky

Green Party

First and foremost, let me reiterate my support of all concerned residents’ opposition to the plethora of predatory planning application in the Pilton area, despite the fact that DC Highways have responded to serious access implications with a significant improvement to the NDH intersection. It’s much more than just vehicular access – it’s about the unique historic ward of Pilton, the whole concept of the quality of life and the way in which the urban environment can be developed sustainably.

Perhaps only one of North Devon’s aspirant candidates is going to voice support for Manning’s Pit (or for the Yelland development, the massive expansion at Chivenor, Fremington, Anchor Woods etc) – but if they go ahead, we will be reminded once again of the complete disregard the Powers That Be have for local dissent – fracking being a pertinent example.

We are living in very different times, faced with an election which might produce a government with a strong enough mandate to further erode the whole concept of opposition, whether that be from parties within Westminster or from grass-roots activists in communities across the country, for whatever cause.

But that is not a reason for giving up – at some stage, tying ourselves to trees, bulldozers – or each other – might have to become the option. I’ll be there!


Ricky Knight's letter of objection to the Planning Department

We would like to thank all the candidates for sending us their comments.