The Cranbrook Placemaking Group met to discuss community development, infrastructure contributions, and stewardship of green spaces in Cranbrook. The group agreed to explore a Compulsory Purchase Order for Phase 2 retail units in the town centre, and also discussed the allocation of funds for infrastructure projects, and the management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). The group also received updates on education, London Road upgrades, leisure and health projects, and the Community Governance Review.

Stewardship of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace

The group approved a preferred approach for the appointment of a 'Responsible Organisation' for the adoption and future management of 78 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) across the four Cranbrook expansion areas. The recommendation aligns with other public open spaces and community assets within Cranbrook, aiming for a consistent approach to management of public open spaces across the community.

The agreed order of priority for the appointment of the 'Responsible Organisation' is:

1. Cranbrook Town Council (subject to Governance Review¹ in relation to the area currently within Whimple Parish)
2. East Devon District Council (or future Unitary authority)
3. An appropriate public body, charitable trust or Community Interest Company (CIC) that is suitable for the management of SANG (e.g. Land Trust/English Estates).

The group also approved the proposed selection criteria for determining the Responsible Organisation, including that they should be:

• An appropriate constituted organisation in public ownership with capacity and suitability to manage SANG in-perpetuity
• Have a suitable financial plan to ensure in-perpetuity funding, which takes a cautious/low risk approach to investment
• Have a clear approach to public accountability to ensure that future management of the SANG can respond to community issues/concerns
• That management costs for SANG in each phase of Cranbrook are based on an approved detailed landscape plans, specification, SANG management plan, and a cost schedule which sets out the areas/features being delivered within the SANG and the estimated timescale for their capital replacement (and costs thereof)
• Consideration of how added value will be achieved (e.g. wider public health and wellbeing, education, sustainability and biodiversity benefits)
• How the organisation will contribute to achieving a consistent management of SANG within Cranbrook

The New Community Manager and Green Infrastructure Project Manager were delegated authority to prepare a model of an outline specification and management plan which sets out the approach and requirements for SANG Management in Cranbrook.

The report noted that failure to deliver SANG would mean the council is in breach of both the Habitat Regulations Assessment² to the Local Plan, and the s106 agreements³ which require delivery of Habitat Regulations mitigation, and would risk legal action from the developers who have paid for mitigation or 3rd parties who may be concerned about failure to delivery the mitigation strategy.

Allocation and spending of Category 4 Infrastructure contributions

The Cranbrook Placemaking Group discussed the principles to be used in establishing a formal mechanism for the allocation and spend of category 4 infrastructure contributions. These contributions are collected from new developments permitted since the adoption of the Cranbrook Plan in October 2022 and are pooled to fund a number of projects that lie within category 4.

The group was asked to identify their preferences for a set of principles to be used in establishing a formal mechanism for the allocation and spend of category 4 infrastructure contributions, to be reported to the Strategic Planning Committee and then to Cabinet.

Category 4 infrastructure includes:

• Fire station (blue light facility)
• Children's centre fit out
• Youth centre fit out
• Library fit out
• Extra Care provision
• Health and Wellbeing Hub
• Leisure Centre
• Offsite walking and cycling enhancements
• Pavilion and 8 team changing rooms for Treasbeare Sports Hub
• 4 no. Tennis Courts with flood lighting
• Secondary School education
• SEND school provision
• Shared cars and e-bikes
• Sustainable transport enhancements

The report noted that because category 4 contributions are used to equalise costs across the expansion areas, those developments with the highest on-site infrastructure burdens will be making proportionally lower off-site category 4 contributions than their counterparts who have minimal on-site infrastructure to deliver.

The report considered different options for the timing of funding requests, the prioritisation of projects, and the decision making process.

Community Development

The group discussed how best to support the social development of Cranbrook as a strong and resilient community, and to reinvigorate the Wellbeing Cranbrook programme.

The Director of Place, Andrew Wood, recommended that the Group:

• Supports re-establishing the Wellbeing Cranbrook programme
• Supports the creation of the Community Wellbeing & Activity Organiser and Community Connector roles
• Notes the current position in relation to potential funding for and hosting of these roles and identifies the preferred way forward
• Supports exploring the development of a civic agreement with key partners to provide a framework to support ongoing community development
• Makes recommendations to EDDC's Cabinet as to how best to support the social development of Cranbrook moving forward

The report noted that Cranbrook has been the subject of various initiatives to date designed to promote specific aspects of community development, including its status as a Healthy New Town, and its participation in the Sport England Place Partnership with Exeter which focuses on increasing physical activity.

The report also noted that Cranbrook Town Council have considered a report detailing opportunities for enhanced services for young people, and resolved to support the creation of a full-time youth worker/leader role to be hosted and line-managed by the Town Council.

The report set out a number of options for funding and hosting the roles, and noted that there is currently no consensus amongst local partners as to a single preferred option.

Implementation Plan

The Group received the Implementation Plan and updates were provided.

• Cranbox: The risk around the timing of the transfer of the land was currently being considered if the project went forward during the preconstruction stage.
• Extra Care Housing: Land transfer not yet completed.
• Town Centre planning applications: The Taylor Wimpey Sales Office has temporary planning permission until 22 August 2025. The Director of Place, Andrew Wood, was asked to follow up on enforcement.
• Phase 2 retail acquisition: Land being marketed but no interest. The Group agreed to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the units, and the Director of Place, Andrew Wood, was asked to explore a CPO to acquire the units.
• Town Centre highway uplift works: Discussions over timetable of works. The New Community Manager was asked to update at the next meeting.

Councillor Peter Faithfull requested that adjoining parish councils for expansion areas 1-4 be consulted and invited to take part in discussions.

Education provision

Simon Niles, DCC Service Lead – School, Organisation, Planning and Admissions, gave an update on the current position in Cranbrook for primary, secondary and special school provision.

Challenges to existing early years and childcare provision are expected due to families buying their first homes which will inevitably lead to pressure for primary school places. There is now a need to deliver the next phase of an additional primary school at the Cobdens expansion area in September 2027. It is anticipated that 2026 will be a difficult year for school admissions.

The phased expansion of the Cranbrook Education Campus will increase capacity to 1,300 students, and further work will be needed to improve the kitchen facilities. The Cranbrook Special School is very problematical as the free school programme is currently under review by the national government. Devon County Council (DCC) have requested regular updates from the Department of Education. A feasibility study is in progress for expanding Rockbeare Church of England Primary School to create another class of 20 children.

It was noted that the catchment area for Stone Barton, which was split in half, had been resolved and would be moved so it fell within Cranbrook Education Campus catchment.

London Road upgrades

Devon County Council's Principal Planning Officer gave a brief summary of the current London Road footway/cycleway improvements, which was in line with the Cranbrook Plan requirements to deliver sections or the London Road that were not covered by the developer's proposals.

The Group agreed to invite Chris Burridge-Barney, DCC Transportation Planning Officer to give a presentation setting out the details for the proposed footpath/cycleway, and to consider inviting Rockbeare Parish Council as the adjoining parish council. Devon County Council's Principal Planning Officer was asked to liaise with the New Community Manager about the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding agreement.

Update on leisure and health and wellbeing projects

The Director for Place gave a brief verbal update on the leisure and health and wellbeing projects, outlining the pressure for primary care space and the business case to secure funds for a combined health and wellbeing campus and centre. A workshop took place last week to help bring all parties with an interest in the town centre together and that a further workshop would take place to progress the proposals.

A written report would be brought to the next meeting in October.

Community Governance Review

The Group noted that the Community Governance Review was now live, and the Director for Place, Andrew Wood, was asked to confirm the potential impact to the timescales if the consultation runs for 3 months.

Forward Plan

The Group noted the Forward Plan subject to the discussions on the London Road upgrades and the amendment to the Management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace – preferred approach being moved forward to 6 October 2025.