The following were present in an advisory capacity:

Apologies for Absence:

The meeting began with a discussion of the public meeting and exhibition. At the meeting the overwhelming response by the community was positive and Dave reported that visitors to the exhibition had been similarly supportive. Messages of congratulation had been received from John Halliday and Deborah McCann (who both attended the meeting) and Alan reported that Councillors who attended had been impressed. While it was too early to say much about the feedback responses, three things were already apparent:

1. there is strong support to the idea of phasing the development - of starting with "scheme 1" more or less immediately while the details of phase 2 are developed.
2. people respond positively to the innovative ideas in the scheme
3. there is some polarisation - people either strongly like or strongly dislike scheme 3 for example
4. scheme 2 currently seems the most popular

On the subject of phasing the development, Donald asked what would be done with any extra money, over and above the million or so SHDC require, that resulted from later phases. He pointed out that by ploughing some of this back into the scheme it would be possible to build more affordable houses (and fewer market value ones). Alan responded that that was a matter for members and given their responsibility to the South Hams as a whole he wasn't sure they would adopt such an approach. There was however room for flexibility in the percentage of shared ownership vs rented accommodation.

The meeting then turned to the forthcoming presentation to the SHDC SAWG (on Thursday 23^rd September). After some discussion it was agreed that:

1. there should be an architect's presentation very similar to that given at the public meeting (though probably shorter)
2. that as well as a Powerpoint presentation, A3 versions of the plans should be available for members to look at
3. that copies of Shirley's summary of the consultation should be provided to members
4. that DOS should give a quick overview of the feedback received (there should be time between the closing of the exhibition on Friday 17^th and the SAWG meeting to do some quick analysis)

Alan indicated that while the formal process of consultation with statutory bodies would have to wait until a formal planning application had been lodged, it was possible to have informal discussions with e.g. Devon County Council (the Highways Authority) and English Heritage. Peter noted that the latter had already been engaged and it was agreed that Peter should arrange meetings with interested parties (e.g. with John Halliday of DCC). Alan agreed to attend any such meetings if it was felt that his presence would assist matters.

Alan pointed out that it might be necessary to have a Traffic Impact Assessment and Pruw noted that at least three archaeological digs were likely to be necessary (in the Lamb, "Pooh Corner" and the Bungalow Garden).

Dave asked to what extent DOS should be involved in such matters - was it now time for DOS to step aside and let the architects and SHDC resolve issues? Alan said he felt that there was a real advantage in DOS continuing to be involved - apart from its track record in keeping the project on time and within budget, it would ensure continued community support. He said that it would probably be appropriate for DOS to suggest this at the SAWG meeting.

There was some discussion about how the plans could be refined and made more detailed. It was felt that having local architects involved in the process had been enormously advantageous. If further development were taken out of their hands at this stage, there would be inevitable delay and uncertainty with the possibility that community support might evaporate. The meeting agreed that momentum should not be lost by introducing yet another round of reviews. Alan agreed, but noted that as a public body spending public money it was important that SHDC complied with things like "Best Value" legislation.

The meeting then discussed the management and control of the proposed public open space in the Bungalow Garden. Alan pointed out that while SHDC had done this sort of thing before, most such spaces were small and in rural communities rather than in the centre of a town. It was felt that there were real advantages to handing the land over to a community charity organisation - tax savings and the increased likelihood of obtaining grants for example, as well as the obvious benefits to the community in controlling its own space. On the other hand there were worries about what would happen if the organisation failed to look after the land properlyin the long term. One possibility is for SHDC to ask DOS to propose a regime for managing the Bungalow Garden and other open spaces after completion of the developed Southern Area, submitting this to the Council by, say, 1^st June 2005.

Finally there was some discussion on Community Land Trusts. Donald commented that the key advantage of CLTs was the safeguarding of affordable housing and that priority should be given to that aim first. Dave pointed out that finding another local authority that had used CLTs for a broadly similar scheme would make the idea much easier to present to SHDC.

The meeting closed at 11.45am. The next meeting will be held on September 29th at 9.45am in the Project Office