COUNCILLORS in East Devon have ruled that the parish boundary of the new town of Cranbrook should not cut an existing village in half as originally proposed.
At Wednesday's meeting of East Devon District Council, the majority voted against the Cabinet's recommendation that the boundary of Cranbrook slice through Rockbeare.
The B3174 through Rockbeare, known as the Rockbeare Straight, had been identified as a "natural boundary" to the south of Cranbrook.
This would have meant that dozens of people who have called Rockbeare their home for years, if not decades, would overnight become residents of Cranbrook.
Cabinet members, although appreciating the importance of "parish loyalty" considered the natural boundary to be more logical in terms of the future administration of the parishes.
Instead, councillors voted "virtually unanimously" for an amendment proposed by the district councillor for the area, that the new town's boundary should skirt round the edge of Rockbeare.
Councillor Peter Bowden Conservative ward member for Broadclyst which includes Cranbrook and Rockbeare, also suggested that the boundary runs round the edges of other existing settlements such as Broadclyst and Clyst Honiton to avoid disruption there too.
He welcomed the council's decision.
"There was overwhelming support for my amendment," he said. "I'm very pleased. It wasn't a difficult debate in the end with most members realising that existing boundaries aren't there simply to be moved."
Cllr Bowden explained that had councillors accepted Cabinet's recommendation for the boundary to run through Rockbeare, it would have "divided" the community.
"Residents of the village have not been happy about it," he continued. "Many of them have lived here all their lives and want to live in Rockbeare."
The councillor, explained that a change in parish could have had a detrimental impact on existing businesses if they had to change their addresses as a result. He said he had been in discussions with businesses who had concerns.
"For planners, a straight line would have been lovely and easy," he said adding that a community shouldn't be defined by a line.
"Am original principal for the development of Cranbrook was to ensure existing villages retain their autonomy. To split the village of Rockbeare would have thrown that out the window."
Instead, the boundary for Cranbrook will roughly run along the back gardens of properties on the north side of the Rockbeare Straight, which was historically where the boundary was envisaged.
Residents from surrounding parishes including Rockbeare, Clyst Honiton and Broadclyst spoke about the issue at the meeting.
"It was their dedication that made members sit up and listen," added Cllr Bowden.
"So many people have been fighting for years to make sure that when Cranbrook started it would be for the right reasons.
"Cranbrook is a success story," he said. "Getting the boundary right is a huge step forward."
