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Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by 50044 Exeter, Dec 25, 2009.

  1. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    Damn, I wouldn't have minded that myself. A very reasonable price for having the L&B running past one's back passage (sorry- couldn't resist it!)
     
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  2. Jr1990

    Jr1990 Guest

    Thanks for the replies so far. I never knew it had sold twice in such a short space of time. Being that close to the line is a bit too close for comfort for me! And I’m guessing it’s even closer than it was originally due to the rear addition to the property?
    So what was the reason that the trust said it wouldn’t be used for residential purposes again? Did they envisage problems getting the line so close? And what made them change their minds so quickly and sell it for residential use again?
     
  3. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    As a trust member, I've never heard this mentioned before. Can you quote your source? AFAIK, it was only ever intended to buy the house, and sell it on, minus the trackbed.
     
  4. Jr1990

    Jr1990 Guest

    Oh boy it was a few years back when I read it! I’m sure it was an Exmoor National Park report on the proposed reinstatement of the line.
    It was a report about the noise levels that would occur during reinstatement that they’d have to put up special barriers of some sort next to residential properties along the route. But I remember it said something along the line of that the trust were keeping Fair View and it would not be used for residential use. I’ll try and find the report, it was online somewhere.
    I just wondered what happened and made them change their minds?

    It’s a shame as I think it should have been kept for railway use. I personally think it’s way too close to the line for residential purposes and I’m surprised it’s allowed in these days of health and safety and all that! If the rear addition was removed I think it would have made a perfect station for Parracombe with perhaps a tearoom/cafe and a community/local shop on the ground floor. And the first floor could have been used as a 2- bed holiday flat perhaps.
     
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  5. WishIHadAName

    WishIHadAName New Member

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    So its safe to stay in for a holiday but not to live in?
     
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  6. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    You're not the first person to make suggestions similar to this, and I can sort of see the merit.
    That said, however:
    A)- It would have given the Trust a huge additional financial burden to carry- remember it was never the intention to retain the property, and would have created an unsustainable black hole in the Trust's accounts, even if it had been let in the interim.
    B)- Fairview was never in use as a railway property, therefore its use would not be prototypical, nor in keeping with covenants in the planning process "to recreate the railway as closely as possible to its original form"
    C)- Parracombe already has its original station building in situ, being the SR concrete shelter a little further down Church Lane. It ain't much I know, but that was Parracombe Halt, per se. Authentic is not always romantic.
     
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  7. Jr1990

    Jr1990 Guest

    Thanks for your reply Mark. Yes I can see why the trust did what it did and it makes sense I suppose to keep as much as possible to how it was originally.
    I found that document that I mentioned. So I wonder what happened?
    1C4127B3-5251-4706-BD55-6A001DEEB6E8.jpeg
     
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  8. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    That's very interesting. I certainly don't recall seeing this before, because it would have stuck in my mind. I wonder if this was a draft of the planning application? Can anyone else shed light on this?
     
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  9. AD29935

    AD29935 New Member

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    Brilliant to see the L&B (with sunshine!) on Mr Tim Dunn's The Architecture The Railways Built this evening. Available in due course on the UK TV Play catch-up service for anyone that missed it.
     
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  10. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    I've been quite fortunate to catch it being broadcast live for this season. The Blackmoor innkeeper is, an interesting fellow.
     
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  11. H Cloutt

    H Cloutt Member

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    I watched it today on Catch-up. Good publicity I thought. I wonder how much of the interview with the innkeeper was edited out!
     
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  12. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    The L and B website seems to be updated and buying the inn has been removed. With this in the extension plans.
    https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/page/our-plans-rebuild-line-between-lynton-barnstaple
    "At Blackmoor the new railway formation will allow the pub and restaurant to continue to function as it is and this will complement the railway."
    Just Parracombe to sort which may not be easy?
     
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  13. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    To be honest, I don't really see much if any change there.

    AIUI the planning application was based on the principle that the line would follow a new alignment to the west of the OSHI, so that a passing-loop and two new platforms could be built without the need to buy the OSHI site. Admittedly there would not the scope for as large a set of 'station facilities' as one might like. Nothing in that approach precludes the railway from buying the OSHI at a latter date if the opportunity (and money) arises.
     
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  14. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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  15. H Cloutt

    H Cloutt Member

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    Well spotted. Although the planning application is still 'live' showing as 'Committee Report Preperation'. I assume the TWAO application will be submitted shortly - we will have to see what this proposes.
     
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  16. Jr1990

    Jr1990 Guest

    I guess no one can shed any light on it!
    What’s the current situation with the Halt bungalow? Last I heard it was going to be compulsory purchased. Has that happened? Also is it right the two proposed dwellings to be built on that site didn’t get past planning permission?
    I keep hearing about the Parracombe problems. What are the problems there?
     
  17. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    >>> What’s the current situation with the Halt bungalow?
    I don't know, but others on here may do.

    >>>Last I heard it was going to be compulsory purchased....
    In order to get a CP Order the railway first needs to have a TWA Order.

    >>> Also is it right the two proposed dwellings to be built on that site didn’t get past planning permission?
    Correct. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, as it will save the railway the cost of building them and leave them with some spare space.

    >> I keep hearing about the Parracombe problems...
    Apart from The Halt, there is also a short stretch of the track-bed just south of PE whose owner(s) are adamant in their refusal to sell at any price.
     
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  18. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    I wonder who owns the field to the north of Parracombe halt? That could possibly provide a route by-passing the controversial stretch of trackbed? Unless it's owned by the same objectors ...
     
  19. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    Not sure what you mean. All trackbed to the north of the Halt is owned by the trust.
    It would in all probability be impossible to deviate at this point. To the west, the land drops away sharply, and would require
    A)- the crossing and then recrossing of Church Lane. It also could not avoid crossing the land of the Principal objector.
    B)- Incidentally, it would also require both the repurchase, and demolition, of Fairview.

    Deviation to the east would;
    A)- bring the railway impossibly close to St. Petrock's Church.
    B)-require the demolition of several properties, including a significantly increased incursion onto aforesaid principal objectors land.
    C)- require significant civil engineering, none of which would be remotely acceptable to either the inhabitants of Churchtown, or the ENPA.
    Remember, this route has already been agreed by planning permission, and that is the original alignment. That, particularly at this location, is set in stone, now. Anything else is pie in the sky.
     
  20. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    If they can’t get by will they be able to go the other way first through where the shed is now. There is no point if they can’t get to the new shed as they won’t have a shed at all. So I don’t know what the manager is going to do.
     

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