MORE money was last week promised to carry out further investigations into past mining activity in Horrabridge, in an attempt to complete a project to safeguard homes in the area. Members of West Devon Borough Council's strategies and resources committee heard that the first phase of the land stabilisation project in the Copperfields area of Horrabridge was completed in May 2005. Since then, extensive investigations had been carried out by a partnership involving the county council, West Devon Homes, Annington Homes and the council's expert consultants. Tracy Windemer, borough civil engineer, told members at last week's meeting: 'We are now actually asking for £70,000, which represents 50% of the funding requirement — the other 50% comes from a bid to English Partnerships who funded phase 1 of the works.' The committee heard that the purpose of the land stabilisation project was to secure sufficient information about the effect of past mining activity on properties in Horrabridge, so that confidence could be restored to the housing market, and secure the economic viability of the village. It was hoped the project would allow the 80 empty properties in Horrabridge, owned by Annington Homes, to be released onto the market and occupied, boosting population in the village and increasing the roll at the school. 'I would like to say that has this has been an extremely successful project for Horrabridge,' said Tracy Windemer. She said the investigations should be completed by the end of the financial year, then more homes would be made available, subject to remedial works to be carried out by Annington Homes. 'What we have actually achieved is to bring back more than 30 homes already which were empty and there is now huge confidence in Horrabridge. 'It really has been very beneficial for Horrabridge and the economic viability of the village,' she said. Cllr Sally Monk, ward member for the area, said: 'Everyone is very grateful for the work that has been carried out. A couple of businesses have opened up in the village in the last couple of months — it really has been beneficial. 'And the school numbers were down to about 80 — there are about 100 now.' Cllr Dick Eberlie, chairman of the committee, said it was 'a very good news story' for Horrabridge. The committee agreed a bid should be made to English Partnerships for £140,000 to fund phase two of the land stabilisation project and agreed to commit a further £70,000 from its own funds.
