Friday 20 September 2019

Starcross Drill Hall

Was there a drill hall in Starcross? Whereabouts?

19/01060/FUL – Land Rear of Old Post Office, Bonhay Road, Starcross - Dwelling with associated parking, landscaping and associated works. Planning Inspectorate Reference: 3235779

Teignbridge District Council have decided to refuse permission to build this house which would interfere with the privacy of other houses because of its close proximity to them. Although Teignbridge District Council have refused permission, there's  a further appeal to the Planning Inspectorate
The thrust of the argument will be the former existence of a Drill Hall, which would make this site brownfield and therefore it would be encouraged to build on it. The idea of unlocking brownfield sites for development is for communities to identify brownfield sites for themselves; to encourage development on them for the good of the community. Here's the link which explains the thinking 

The Department for Communities and Local Government is no more.
It has morphed into the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments.
here's the link to what they do  which is to support communities with the provision of housing. Could they help to determine this decision?

Meanwhile, it would be interesting to find out about this Drill Hall. Did it exist or? Was it a hut used by our Home Guard? or was it a more substantial building?
The planning appeal document talks about a map of the 1880s which shows The Assembly Rooms which later became known as The Drill Hall.
but
The Starcross building which was The Assembly Rooms is the former Newclay factory, on Courtenay Corner. Newclay Products have moved to Heathfield.


Ordnance Survey maps of Starcross are held in the Devon Rural Archive at Shilstone  They  have complete Ordnance Survey coverage for 1887 and 1905.

The Devon Archives and Local Studies Centre at Sowton can be visited by catching an Exmouth train from Starcross.
They hold documents and maps about Starcross too. 

Perhaps someone with local knowledge can help with information about The Starcross Drill Hall please?




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