The gulf between anti-development protestors and Kingsteignton Parish Council widened on Wednesday after a peaceful demonstration degenerated into a free-for-all argument. Up to 100 people, among them members of the Kingsteignton Residents Environmental Awareness Group, gathered outside Rydon Community Hall prior to a council meeting. They were addressed by activist Ken Tuckett, who demanded that parish councillors engage in talks with residents about development proposals for the village. The first real note of dissent was heard after the public and press were delayed entry to enter the council chamber while matters were discussed in private. Jim White, KREAG chairman, was among those to question what was being said behind closed doors. When access was granted the situation immediately deteriorated as many of those gathered filed into the cramped council chamber where they found standing room only, stifling conditions and thumping music drifting in from a next-door aerobics session. They also found, contrary to the order of business on the agenda, and without explanation, Steve Moore of the Environment Agency already delivering a presentation on flood prevention within the village. With his talk disrupted by the incoming public council chairman, Cllr Jill Morris, said: 'I didn't know all KREAG was coming.' A woman replied angrily: 'We're not KREAG, we're just village members who want to know what's going on.' Cllr Morris said the meeting would have to be closed unless order was restored, which it was, albeit temporarily. Throughout the next 90 minutes fractious exchanges were had as residents demanded detailed answers to planning queries. When Mr Moore claimed that proposed flood alleviation measures developed by WBB Minerals, the landowner wishing to develop new homes, could offer 'significant betterments' for Kingsteignton, members of the public interrupted again. 'We don't necessarily believe them,' someone called out. 'They said they wouldn't cut down trees but they did.' Struggling to maintain order, Cllr Morris banged her gavel several times and pleaded for order but to little effect. Despite her council agreeing to support a further public meeting at which residents could ask whatever questions they wanted of councillors at parish, district and county level, some members of the public weren't satisfied. l Continued on page 2 l From page 1 Mr White suggested that if only written questions were to be allowed, as was suggested, it would enable councillors to 'cherrypick'. Even when terms had been agreed, and a suggestion accepted that the former WBB director, John Pike, be invited to chair the meeting, Mr Tuckett demanded the opportunity to put more questions to the council there and then. When this was denied by Cllr Morris he said: 'It looks as if you're going to avoid the issue again.' Cllr Morris accused Mr Tuckett of being rude and in despair exclaimed: 'It seems we are at stalemate.' With that she brought matters to a close and the public left. The date and venue of the public meeting is yet to be decided.
