PERMISSION has been granted for a new cycle route connecting Yelverton and Princetown.

Devon County Council is currently developing a county-wide network of cycle routes and sought planning permission for the first off-road section across fields between Southella Road in Yelverton to Lake Lane in Burrator.

A safe route from Yelverton to Dousland had long been on Devon County Council’s policy for several years and was included in the current Local Transport Plan.

In a planning statement submitted by Devon County Council it reported that the proposed route would better connect Yelverton and Princetown with a ‘spectacular off-road path, bringing a range of benefits’.

‘The Princetown Railway Path forms part of the National Cycle Network. Most of the route has been in place for some years and the missing bridge over the Princetown Road was recently replaced under the Granite and Gears programme.

‘Between Dousland and Yelverton many cyclists use the main Princetown Road which is not an attractive environment for cycling. The current proposal is designed to avoid this main road and help achieve a safe route to Princetown.’

The statement also said that the path would provide a range of benefits for cyclists, horse riders and walkers alike but that no new car parking was to be provided and that visitors choosing to arrive by car should use existing provision at Yelverton or Burrator Reservoir.

The application had received 16 letters of objection and 14 letters of support.

Support was given to the investment in the trail and the improvement this will bring to recreational opportunities and the off-route link between Dousland and Yelverton was welcomed by some as a safer off-road route.

Concerns raised related to potential it would cause to increased vehicle traffic in the area, concern about on-street parking on surrounding roads and in the car park adjacent to the shops, plus concerns about road safety.

As the route falls on Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park, as a planning authority, had to give its permission before it was allowed to proceed. On November 10, members of the national park gave approval for the application to proceed, subject to nine conditions, one which included that it be finished within three years of the date of permission granted.

In its conclusion, the national park stated that the application was a scheme which makes a ‘positive re-use’ of the former railway line for a project which meets the objectives of the core strategy and also the development management and delivery development plan document providing an opportunity to provide a new recreational facility and provide an improved link to existing provision.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for cycling, said: ‘We’re pleased that this application has been approved as closing this gap will help bring a variety of benefits to the area, including new business opportunities and improving health by providing a safe walking and cycling route for families.

‘Working with Dartmoor National Park, the route has been completed from Princetown to Dousland and included replacing the missing bridge at Peekhill. However, there is currently no reasonable cycling or walking connection onto Yelverton and Drakes Trail.

‘This permission will help to close this gap, one of only two remaining planning applications required in the whole route between Princetown and Plymouth.’

A spokesperson from Devon County Council added that an independent study of Drakes Trail, the Exe Estuary Trail and the Tarka Trail found that they increased local business turnover by ‘more than £13-million a year’ and ‘created 200 full time equivalent jobs’.