A PART retrospective planning application seeking to improve the access to Holsworthy Showground has been approved by Torridge District Council.

The proposals would see the following take place: the formation of a stone surfaced bus drop off and waiting area; associated earthworks and land regrading, the installation of a post and rail fencing in addition to a pedestrian gate.

There would also be the creation of new and the improvement of existing Devon hedge banks, the installation of associated surface water drainage infrastructure, ancillary entrance and circulation improvements associated with the operation of the showground and the removal of a limited section of hedgerow that is required to facilitate the revised entrance and circulation arrangements.

In an application on behalf of the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show, Kivells stated: “The purpose of the works is to improve the safe arrival, circulation and management of visitors attending events at the showground, particularly those arriving by bus or coach. The improvements provide a safer and more organised entrance arrangement, improving internal traffic management and reducing congestion during peak event periods.

“The works are entirely ancillary to the established use of the site as an agricultural showground and event venue. The improvements are operational in nature and are required to support the continued safe and efficient functioning of the site during events.

“The proposal does not intensify the lawful use of the showground but instead improves the management and movement of vehicles and pedestrians within the existing site.

“The entrance improvement works at Holsworthy and Stratton Showground represent modest and appropriate operational improvements associated with the continued use of the established agricultural showground. The development has been carefully designed to integrate with the existing site and surrounding rural landscape through the use of appropriate materials, landscaping, boundary treatments and sensitive siting.

“The proposal provides clear operational, circulation and safety benefits whilst avoiding any unacceptable impacts in respect of landscape character, visual amenity, highway safety, drainage or neighbouring amenity. The works are considered to constitute sustainable and proportionate development which supports the ongoing viability and successful operation of an important long-established rural community facility”

Pyworthy Parish Council said they were in favour of the plans but added some criticism, telling Torridge District Council: “After consideration, Councillors have decided to support this application.

“However, as Clerk, I have been asked to make a comment on the way the show committee has gone about this work. This is the second application where they have undertaken work at the show ground without planning permission in place and have had to seek retrospective planning permission.

“It shows a complete lack of consideration for proper planning channels and a lack of consideration for Pyworthy Parish Council and residents in which parish the showground resides. There has been no consultation with the parish council on this and other works at the showground.”

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Torridge District Council approved the application with a condition relating to hedgebanks – specifically, that if within five years any hedgebank that is destroyed or defective, another tree of the same species must replace it.