Even though it looks unlikely that building work will start on Cranbrook for at least five years, plans are already being prepared for its expansion. East Devon District Council (EDDC) is preparing a "Local Development Framework" which will drive planning policy up to 2026 as part of a new national planning system that replaces all previous Local Plans.

In July 2008 Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, published proposals to increase the number of homes built in Cranbrook from the 2,900 originally planned to 7,500, i.e. an additional 4,600 properties. These proposals, which form part of proposed amendments to the "South West Regional Spacial Strategy", are due to be adopted in Summer this year.

EDDC has the job of identifying where the extra land required to build Cranbrook is going to come from, and has identified eight options. Two of the options (7 and 8) would effectively mean that Cranbrook would be merged with Whimple. An "issues and options" report has been published on the Council's website (see link below) and a questionnaire has been produced to gather feedback on residents' preferred options. The questionnaire can be completed online or printed out and sent in by post. The consultation closes on Friday 13th February at 5pm. During the last Local Plan consultation only three Whimple residents responded.

Briefly, here are the options together with the key points noted in the consultation document:

Option 1: (Expansion to the WEST of Cranbrook)
800 homes
33 hectare

• Limited impact on landscape
• Good access to rail and road network
• Scored highly in 2005 Devon County Council Study

Option 2: (Expansion to the SOUTH WEST of Cranbrook)
1800 homes
73 hectare

• Partly on land allocated as a "green wedge" to protect from merging with Rockbeare
• Closer to airport than may be desirable, particularly as the area is near an engine testing area. However, there are plans to move the testing area in the medium-term.

Option 3: (Expansion to the SOUTH of Cranbrook)
1000 homes
41 hectare

• Scored highly in 2005 Devon County Council Study due to the area's close proximity to the town centre and nearby to the planned heat and power plant, allowing homes to be carbon-neutral
• On land allocated as a green wedge to protect from merging with Rockbeare

Option 4: (Expansion to the NORTH EAST of Cranbrook)

2700 homes
108 hectare

• New bridge required to replace level crossing over railway line
• Some distance from amenities

Option 5: (Expansion to the EAST of Cranbrook)
1300 homes
53 hectare

• Fits in well with "visual and landscape envelope" of the current Cranbrook site
• Scored highly in 2005 Devon County Council Study (together with option 7)

Option 6: (Expansion to the SOUTH EAST of Cranbrook)
1400 homes
57 hectare

• Well-defined area
• Some distance from amenities

Option 7: (Expansion to the EAST of Cranbrook)
1100 homes
45 hectare

• Scored highly in 2005 Devon County Council Study (together with option 5)
• Land currently allocated as a green wedge to protect Whimple's landscape setting and prevent merger

Option 8: (Expansion to the EAST of Cranbrook)
1900 homes
77 hectares

• Land currently allocated as a green wedge to prevent merger with Whimple

The questionnaire can be filled out from the following link:

http://eastdevon-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal

The report can be found at the following link:

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/plg_issuescompressed.dec_08_compressed.pdf.

In addition to completing the questionnaire, you can have your say by voting in the WhimpleOnline.net Poll and participating in the discussion Forums

5pm Today is the deadline to make your views known to East Devon District Council on plans for the extension of Cranbrook.

The Council's questionnaire can be filled out from the following link:

http://eastdevon-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal

Vote for your preferred option in our Web Poll by clicking here: http://www.whimpleonline.net/dolphin/WhimpleOnline and scrolling down the page to the "Polls" Section.

See the previous WhimpleOnline blog post - "East Devon Council Proposes Options for Cranbrook Extension"  - for more information.

The Express and Echo today reports that work on the 2900-home Cranbrook new town could start this year. This comes after recent reports that the new community could have been delayed due to the credit crunch.

It states that the work will create hundreds of jobs for the area and the major projects, including the Sky Park are predicted to create 7000 jobs.

Infrastructure work could start later this year, this would include the provision of the Clyst Honiton by-pass and access to the proposed new station at Cranbrook. Housebuilding could start as soon as next year, 2010.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/New-town-development-boost-city/article-849115-detail/article.html

Also, the BBC reports that Devon is going to receive £17m of government funding to help build infrastructure for planned housing developments. This money is being spent on the Cranbrook and Sherford (near Plymouth) developments. To read this report see the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7967967.stm .

In the news today, the South West Development Agency has approved £12 million pounds to put the building of the new town back on track.  According to the Spotlight breakfast news the funding is for infrastructure of roads and schools.  Work is due to start near Rockbeare in March next year.

Of the £12 million investment, £3 million is towards the Clyst Honiton Bypass, £4 million for the main road to Cranbrook and linking to the new railway station.  £5 million is to be invested in a new primary school serving the town.

To find out more take a look at the following article from the Express and Echo.  http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Business-leaders-welcome-12m-Cranbrook-boost/article-1196879-detail/article.html