I RESPOND to Mr. D Goodwin's letter in the Okehampton Times of July 12 on behalf of the Highampton Action Committee. He has missed one of the main points of this ongoing debate regarding the takeover of Burdon Grange nursing home by C-far for a rehab centre for criminals.
Everybody on the HAC and the many people we have spoken to, along with John Burnett MP, all share the view that the aims of C-far are admirable. But everybody, again including our MP, believes that the community should have a say in a full change of use planning application to West Devon Borough Council by C-far.
We are being denied this, as C-far are trying to set up their operation by looking for a legal ruling as to whether the current planning permission for Burdon Grange would also cover C-far's business. We, the overwhelming majority of the community, are not allowed to have any input about something that would dramatically impact on our way of life.
Our rights under the Human Rights Act of 1998, effective from October 2 2000, are going to be threatened if the centre opens. Although planning laws dictate the denial of objections from Highampton residents with regard to C-far, the law of natural justice should prevail, and a full planning application from C-far should be required, so allowing input from the community.
In direct response to Mr. Goodwin's letter, his exclamation, 'complete nonsense' well describes its content. The residents of Highampton are not at all worried about the few success stories in turning out model citizens from the Okehampton Army Camp. They are desperately worried about the many failures, the inmates who have no intention of reforming and who are free to come and go.
Mr Ian Courtney, C-far's chairman, has already publicly admitted that they can give 'no assurances' with regard to public safety and security. Is it any wonder that there is so much opposition to the takeover of Burdon Grange?
David Richards
pp Highampton Action Committee
Lower Odham Fm
Burdon Lane
Highampton