23/08/2023
Hello to all helpers and supporters of the “Save The Red” Campaign.
A big ‘thank you’ for all the hard work by everyone involved and have helped us with the ‘Save the Red’ campaign. To keep you advised of what’s been happening, we have put together a brief update of our progress below.
It doesn’t seem five minutes since the ‘out of the blue’ announcement came confirming that plans are afoot to convert the Red Lion into housing. They always say that hindsight is a wonderful thing as, if we had known what lay ahead, we could have acted earlier. I don’t think we should be too hard on ourselves as when we were told, from the ‘horse’s mouth’, that the true intention is to sell the Red Lion as a going concern.
The community’s response to the planning announcement was swift and led to steps being taken to attempt to stop it in its tracks. The formation of the group of like-minded individuals, ‘Save The Red Community Action Group’ (SRCAG) was established with the aim to:
Keep the Red Lion as a pub and stop Terry Tume’s (owner) ‘Change of Use’ Planning Application (23/00898/FUL) – to turn part of the site into 4 dwellings.
With the above planning application stopped, try to get the Red Lion sold as a going concern to a professional landlord or become a Community Pub.
The Action Group needed to gauge the community’s feelings towards saving the Red Lion and try to understand what they thought about Community matters. This had to be part of our planning Objection Statement but having only 21 days (Teignbridge Planning Rules) in which to get feedback, all we could do was to complete a sampling exercise as fast as possible. After consulting with The Plunkett Foundation, the Action Group worked hard to circulate and retrieve questionnaires. This achieved, we can confirm that 500 were issued and 168 were returned. This represented approximately 280 residents. We are really sorry if we missed anyone.
Another key element was to get the Red Lion pub classified as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV). Most of us had never heard of such a thing and certainly did not fully understand its significance to a community. In basic terms, any community in England can apply to have an asset classified as an ACV but it has to be done in a certain way. By far the best way is to request the local Parish Council (PC) to support the application by making a request to the District Council (DC). It’s for the DC to decide whether to support the application or not. If successful, an asset (be it a building, land or item) is then classified as an ACV for five years and if the owner wishes to sell it, they must give the Community a chance to buy it.
The Action Group attempted to do this through our Parish Council. Unfortunately, Terry Tume threatened the PC with legal action if it supported the ACV application and if it delayed his ‘alleged’ sale of the Red Lion. The PC chose to defer its decision. In response to this, the Action Group proceeded with its own ACV request which has been submitted to Teignbridge DC, subsequently the PC agreed to support our application. We are waiting to hear from Teignbridge DC with their decision. Should AVC status be approved, the Plunkett Foundation offer supportive advice in moving forward.
With regard to Terry Tume’s planning application, on the 5th June, the local Parish Councillors voted unanimously NOT to support the ‘Change of Use’ Application. Over 80 people attended the meeting in support of saving the Red Lion so, thank you all.
Another challenge we faced was trying to circumnavigate and understand the Teignbridge Planning Policies in relation to this particular cause. With only 21 days in which to submit an objection, it soon became clear that these processes are not designed to help anyone wishing to object to a planning proposal but do, however, favour the applicant.
District Councils must adhere to the National Planning Policy which is very vague and open to interpretation. Planning Officers and Committees who decide whether to approve a planning application mainly refer to planning objections that relate to or argue a point in the Planning Policy. If your objection is based on a personal view or is not linked to a policy reference, it is likely to be ignored. Emotions and even very good points play little or no part in the decision process.
The Action Group has worked very hard to raise awareness about the need and importance for community members to submit their own Planning Objections. Once again, teams of people spoke to friends, family and neighbours and information leaflets were distributed locally. We are pleased to confirm that 69 objections were submitted! Great work!
The Action Group’s Objection Statement (to the planning application) was submitted on 5th July. We would like to thank all who helped and supported us, namely; CAMRA, The Plunkett Foundation and Save the Fountain Inn Community Action Group (Whimple). It’s been a learning curve and a frustrating process but we have done the best we can.
We give a big thank you to local Councillor Andy Swain who has been very helpful and supportive with the ACV application and aspects of objecting to the Planning Application.
So, the current situation is that we should have had the Planning Officer’s decision as to whether he approves Terry Tume’s ‘Change of Use’ planning application. This was initially due on 14 July but has been deferred twice, once until the 11 August and now the 1 September to allow for further investigation. Fingers crossed.
Regarding the sale of the Red Lion – on numerous occasions at Parish Council meetings, Terry Tume assures us he has ‘unconditionally’ sold the Red Lion to a developer and, when pressed, said exchange of contracts was due imminently. On the commercial Estate Agents website, it is still ‘Under Offer’.
When the planning decision has been made, the Action Group will review matters and let you know its thoughts on moving forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope it is helpful. Please do get in touch if you require further information.
Once again, a big thank you!
Steve Chambers.
Chairman. ”Save the Red” Community Action Group.
