PETITION MYRTLE MEADOW on junction of Moor Lane/Jones’s Hill/ Stentaway Lane.

Objections to planning application 70564 for camping from 28 April to 30 September

This is an over urbanisation of a green field in the natural and historic view scapes of Croyde Village and the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This application represents a MAJOR DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGE OF USE. Total camping use of 156 days per year.

1. Myrtle Meadow is in a quiet residential area. The campsite generates noise, disruption and nuisances to residents and visitors in and around the vicinity when open. In July 2019 permission was granted for a change from agricultural use to permit camping for 90 days in the summer. This new proposal extends the camping use by another 66 days on top. It is also an extension of the campsite use into the off season and will introduce new levels of disruption, nuisance, noise affecting limited services/ infrastructure during the calmer, quiet season when residents/school children have respite to carry on with their normal working/school lives.

2. There is a plethora of existing campsites with out of season capacity eg Ocean Pitch, Fresh Well, Ruda Bay View etc. The monetary economic benefits claimed in the application are not borne out.

3. Increased camping use will have further adverse impacts on Croyde’s local community and on a range of elements which combine to make this Village and area unique. The result is cumulative harm to the natural/historic landscapes and the peaceful rural environment and ambience of Croyde to which this field is a significant contributor. Myrtle Meadow is:

3.1 a key feature of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the only green field that links the corridor of green that runs from Croyde Dunes and the Crydda Valley to the green ridges beyond;

3.2 the setting of the Grade II * listed Mytle Farm and associated Grade II listed barn;

3.3 a frame for The Croyde Conservation Area and defines Croyde Village from the Bay area;

3.4 accessed by a gate on a road junction and via narrow roads some with no pavements/narrow pavements etc The sewage system breaks down when the number of visitors builds up. When capacity is overloaded many tankers are brought in to take the sewage away by these same roads.

3.5 part of the habitat for wildlife in that area of Croyde Village. Nesting season is Feb to Aug. The additional camping time is during the vulnerable incubation and fledgling periods for baby/young birds who cannot fly and they/their parents are affected by human activity/lights at night etc .

4. The proposed camping extension is disproportionate to the adverse impacts on the AONB, heritage assets, wildlife, residents and visitors who wish to enjoy the quieter scenic settings, views and peaceful ambience of the AONB etc away from the busier beach areas.

5. This is a sensitive application, it is a major change of developmental use on a field that has some of the highest levels of protection afforded by planning law. If the Local Planning Authority are minded to grant it, it should be referred to full Planning Committee for determination.

The "Meadow" is outlined in red on the photograph and Myrtle Farm the Grade II* listed building is signposted using the word "Farm".

Representations need to be made to the North Devon Planning by 6 January 2020 using the planning reference 70564 - so if you wish to sign the petition or make representations, please do so before then.This is a new petition for the new time period that Mr Guy Ingleby, the owner of the field has applied for. If you signed the old petition please can you consider signing this petition too.