A MAJOR row in Chudleigh Knighton over possible redevelopment has reached boiling point and some residents claim it has divided the villagers into groups. It led to landowner Fred Willis demanding an apology from Cllr Richard Hingston at Tuesday's monthly meeting of Hennock Parish Council, over what he believed to be misleading comments about him. Late last year, independent planning consultant Steve Anderson and Mr Willis presented a plan to the council showing how developing 45 acres of Mr Willis's land on the west side of the village could result in housing, recreation and a new school. They made it clear that before contacting Devon County Council regarding the school, the views of villagers should be sought as well as those of the school governors. The speculative bid was forwarded in time to be considered as part of the Teignbridge Local Development Framework – by the end of next month the preferred options in the district should be known. In the latest twist, Mr Anderson wrote to the council complaining about the circulation of misinformation by certain councillors. His letter stated that Mr Willis would like to put on record that it had been confirmed personally to him by Cllr Geoff Bailey that the information was circulated by Cllrs Hingston and Jim Hine. Mr Anderson wrote that there would appear to be sufficient grounds to pursue his complaint through the Teignbridge Standards Committee. Mr Willis considers that a public apology would satisfy his grievance and allow us all to get back, as soon as possible, to an honest and open debate about the future needs of the village and its children,' wrote Mr Anderson. No apology was forthcoming. Cllr Hingston said his comments were that a lot of people had said the land did not belong to Mr Willis, but to Cavanna builders. The clerk, Gordon Haigh explained that Cllr Hingston had said that before the chairman Cllr Bill Stanyon had presented the findings to the council making it clear the land belonged to Mr Willis. Cllr Hine said he was certainly not going to apologise. 'I have not expressed an opinion to anyone outside this council in any shape or form. I would like to know where he got this information,' he said. Cllr Paul Wastell said he could not understand why everyone had got 'their knickers in a twist'. 'It is a storm in a teacup. I do not know why it is a witch hunt against this parish council,' said Cllr Wastell. On Tuesday Cllr Stanyon said they had taken legal advice from the monitoring officer at Teignbridge and he had decided it did not need to go any further. Cllr Stanyon had explained the code of conduct to all councillors in private session, warning them they were in danger of bringing the council into disrepute. A 51 signature petition has been handed in, calling for a public meeting about the development. That is to be held as part of the Annual Parish Meeting, in the Chudleigh Knighton Village Hall, on Tuesday March 7, at 7pm. Invited to speak at the meeting are Mr Willis, Mr Anderson, representatives of the school governors, Devon Education Authority, the village hall committee, Teignbridge Council, and county and district councillors. Cllr Stanyon, who will chair the meeting, said the parish council was not legally bound to take notice of a public meeting but 'we would be stupid if we did not do so as long as there is fair representation'. Later there were still some heated exchanges and Cllr Stanyon rose to his feet and demanded to call a halt. Meanwhile Cavanna Homes has informed the council that it has decided to withdraw from its interest in the site.
