One strand of the long-running feud within Kingskerswell Parish Council over the merits of a bypass has ended with the resignation of a prominent detractor. The former chairman of the Kingskerswell Alliance, Cllr Paul Bright, has resigned and warned that the village could become a 'cash cow' for developers. Elected in 2003, Cllr Bright became an outspoken critic of the scheme, claiming it would result in noise pollution and environmental damage within the village. His group also feared the road, the price of which is now estimated at more than £100 million, would open up the Aller Valley for development. But his bid to reinstate the quieter 'cut and cover' option for a stretch of the bypass near to the heart of the old village led to his referral to the Standards Board for England by pro-bypass councillors who accused him of misconduct. The Board found Cllr Bright guilty of failing to declare an interest, and in November 2005, the Teignbridge Council Standards Committee suspended him for two months. Cllr Bright's own referral to the Board of parish council chairman Cllr Derek Miller and Cllr Mike Haines, who also serves as chairman of Teignbridge Council development control committee, resulted in no case to answer. Cllr Bright denied his resignation was connected with the incident and told the Advertiser: 'Across the country it can be seen that councillors who oppose official policy are excluded from debates because of a supposed prejudicial interest, while members supporting the ruling establishment seem curiously immune.' He said: 'People need to be aware that there are forces at work who see Kingskerswell as a potential cash cow.' Cllr John Hartley, who is not a member of the Kingskerswell Alliance, is concerned Devon County Council has made fundamental errors regarding the bypass planning application and will ask questions of the executive next Tuesday. 'I intend to make sure everyone has the complete picture as the public consultation to date has been abysmal,' he said. The road has the support of Devon, Torbay and Teignbridge Councils.
