Fight against Bradworthy estate plan

MORE than 200 signatures have been added to a petition to prevent a Bradworthy industrial site being turned into affordable housing.

The Bradworthy Action Group says the former Lavis Medical Systems building should remain an industrial site and has the potential to provide up to 40 jobs.

The group says it is not against social housing but is fighting for the regeneration of Bradworthy.

The old hearing aid factory has been redundant for two years and Tarka Housing has held talks with the private owners and Torridge District Council about proposals to create what it says is much-needed affordable housing.

Nigel Barnard, managing director of Tarka Housing, said: "The group has been looking at the potential to bring forward a development of 10 affordable homes at this small industrial unit which has been vacant for more than two years.

"No planning application has been submitted yet and we have been in discussion with Torridge District Council and the private owners on the matter.

"The talks are ongoing to see if it is a viable option and if there is strong local objection we will take that into account.

"Our intention is to secure more affordable housing in the Bradworthy area because there is clearly a need for affordable housing there which was highlighted in the Torridge local needs survey."

Lesley Yeo from the Bradworthy Action Group said: "The opposition is not to social housing but the removal from the village infrastructure of a significant resource for economic regeneration and employment."

She said the buildings have the potential to be divided into smaller units that could be attractive to local businesses.

She added: "Economic regeneration and employment are the first two objectives of the Bradworthy Parish Plan, they are there because of the importance they have to the economic health of the village.

"If this plan were approved it would go against the parish plan. It would conflict with the existing planning status and covenants on the land concerned that preserve it for industrial use.

"The building is also located among other industrial units bringing significant concerns about the environment and health and safety.

"Much has recently been made of the need for social housing in the South West and how its lack affects communities. What is frequently ignored is the effect of placing such housing into communities without the employment possibilities to support the people who will live there."

James Morrish, leader of Torridge District Council, said there had been informal discussions and the authority would treat any potential applicants and residents of Bradworthy the same as anyone else.

He added: "If it turns out that this site isn't suitable I hope that the residents and parish council will continue to actively look for sites where affordable housing can be built for the young people of Bradworthy and the surrounding area who can then live in the same area where they have grown up."