RYDA Newsletter            03/2023

Rabbits and Hares

The hare was a popular motif in medieval church art. In ancient times, it was widely believed that the hare was a hermaphrodite. The idea that a hare could reproduce without loss of virginity led to an association with the Virgin Mary, with hares sometimes occurring in lluminated manuscripts and Northern European paintings of the Virgin and Christ Child. It may also have been associated with the Holy Trinity, as in the three hare’s motif.

Eggs

Eggs have been used as fertility symbols since antiquity. Eggs became a symbol in Christianity associated with rebirth as early as the 1st century AD and they became associated with Easter specifically in medieval Europe, when eating them was prohibited during the fast of Lent. A common practice in England at that time was for children to go door-to-door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. People handed out eggs as special treats for children prior to their fast.

Planning

Newton Downs Farm     Barn Conversion –– Application Reference 4462/22/FUL

This barn is within the Newton Downs Farm complex of buildings, sitting low in the landscape in a slight hollow.  Although it has had several uses over recent years, it is now unused and falling into disrepair. 

The applicants wish to use the converted barn as their main house, repurposing the existing farmhouse as staff accommodation for the farm and Equus centre. 

Whilst the proposal will enable continuity for the business, the design is sympathetic to the existing structure and should enhance the general appearance of the site, a restriction to agricultural use should be applied.

Proposed barn conversion.

Briar Hill Farm, Court Road   Extension to existing holiday park -– Application Reference 3993/22/FUL

This application is for an additional ten (10) holiday lodges, each with 3 bedrooms and associated access drive, parking, and landscaping.  The proposed landscaping will include new native trees and shrubs, the creation of a new extensive wildflower meadow and related biodiversity enhancements. 

A self-contained sewage system and surface water soakaway is proposed.

Two new publicly accessible electric vehicle fast charging points will also be provided on the site.  Solar panels to an existing outbuilding and re-siting of gas tanks are also proposed.

An earlier application for an additional 14 lodges was withdrawn in 2021.

There is no doubt that this is a major extension of the current holiday park, which currently has 24 holiday lodges, and therefore raises several issues.

Increased visual impact. The site slopes gently to the south above the existing Briar Hill Farm Lodges and is easily visible at distance from high ground at several points to the south of the site.   Whilst extensive planting is proposed, it can be expected that this will take from 5 to 10 years to grow sufficiently to provide any appreciable screening.

Significant development of a “green field” within the AONB and outside the “village settlement boundary”. 

Development outside the boundary should only be allowed “in exceptional circumstances and where it will meet an essential local need which cannot otherwise be met” (Newton and Noss Neighbourhood Plan N3P-1 b).  Whilst there may be some demand for additional holiday accommodation, this cannot be said to meet a local need.  Any development permitted outside the settlement boundary must “cause no significant adverse harm on natural or historic assets, important views and skylines, amenity, traffic parking or safety” (N3P-1 c).

Additional traffic emerging at a difficult junction on to Parsonage Road.

Future development. The application states that the additional lodges are necessary to secure a sustainable long-term future, you may wonder how the original current complement of 24 lodges, were viable, or if continuous expansion is necessary to the Business Plan.

Increased employment. The application states that there will be a requirement for two additional cleaners, one building maintenance worker and one further grounds maintenance worker, although only one will be full-time.

Two new publicly accessible electric vehicle fast charging points will also be provided on the site when there are no similar facilities in the parish.

Whilst there are positive aspects of this application, these may be outweighed by the potential negative aspects, what are your views?

92 Court Road.   Construction of new detached 3 bed dwelling with associated access, parking & landscaping –Application Reference – 0072/23/FUL.  (resubmission of 2581/22/FUL).

This application is the second for the site, the previous version being withdrawn in October 2022,  which has outline permission and shows a substantial house on a relatively limited site.

The view below is borrowed from the Design and Access statement and as can be seen it is set well into the site, slightly behind the neighbouring houses.

Calling all past, present and future bell ringers!  You may have seen recently on the local news that there is a shortage of bell ringers to ring in every tower in Devon for the King’s coronation on May 6^th.  Here in Newton and Noss, we have two magnificent peals of bells and we are always on the look out for new ringers to come and join us.

We are having an Open Day on Saturday 11th March 2023 at Holy Cross church, Newton Ferrers, for people to come and see what we do, have a go at ringing a bell and consider joining the team to play the loudest instrument in the village!  If you are aged 16+ (sorry we can’t take under 16s due to current legislation) and looking to learn a new skill, or maybe to revisit a skill you developed in the past, please come along any time between 11am and 4pm on 11^th March, when you can find out more about learning to ring.

Refreshments and a light lunch will be available so please come and have a go!  If you would like more information or to let us know that you will be coming, please phone me on 830344 or email me at nene_carr@hotmail.com. We look forward to seeing you.                                                   

Harbour Clean Up is Sat 22 April