Co stories co12 v3 (dragged) 8

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Grass Route Community Action! Nina Cooper Paignton, Devon

Hi, I’m Nina Cooper and I’ve been working in Blatchcombe, Paignton in Devon for the last 12 months, meeting many people in the local community who have been developing plans of action, running projects and events, and forming groups. In this time, the network of community members has developed and people have mobilised and become empowered to start making changes in their neighbourhoods. The impact of these changes have been far reaching and some could even affect the

When the Planning Committee Meeting met at the Riviera

whole of Torbay.

International Centre, two volunteers from the Action Group were given two and a half minutes each to speak on behalf of

For example whilst door knocking, I met a retired couple who

their community. Both speakers were amazing and gave many

cited amongst other concerns, plans to build on a green space

reasons as to why the access road should not run through

nearby where horses are kept. They were particularly worried

Luscombe Road. They were definitely listened to as it was

about a proposal to create an access road which would create

decided that the plans needed to be deferred whilst more

extra traffic and make an already busy and hazardous junction

research took place. The Action Group is planning to carry out

more dangerous and further “clog up” Kings Ash Hill!

their own research into the road too, including the amount of users it already has. Their fight has not finished yet!

Some residents have septic tanks* which run off and drain onto the site and are concerned about being forced onto using mains

I am planning to continue my work with the Torbay Community

sewers by the developers. I encouraged them to speak to their

Trust in this area, supporting the current projects and groups and

neighbours and find out if others felt the same. The result was

engaging more of the community to continue to make a change

outstanding and the neighbourhood was soon mobilised, deliv-

in Torbay.

ering leaflets, and door knocking and 47 people turned out at the local Community Partnership meeting to voice their concerns. A local Action Group was born and the Highways, Surveyors and

*A septic tank is a key component of the septic system; a small-scale

the Council Planning Dept attended the next meeting. It was

sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main

very lively to say the least!

sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations.

team attending the Council Planning Meeting

Horse field, site proposed for new development


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