Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council have taken further steps to enable the provision of the Cullompton Relief Road.

The relief road route would pass through the existing Cullompton cricket pitch, so works started in earnest on 27 August to relocate the pitch. As the foundation for a high-quality pitch is laid, it will take more than a year to fully embed and reach the standard required for future competitive play. This phase of works is expected to be completed by the end of September 2024, by which time it is hoped that the councils may have further clarity on the provision of the full funding to deliver the relief road.

A business case requesting additional funding to ensure the delivery of the Cullompton Relief Road scheme is currently with Homes England. The cricket pitch works now being undertaken are important in ensuring swift delivery of the road, should a positive funding decision be confirmed.

The relief road is of key importance to improve the amenity of the town centre, tackle air quality problems and unlock housing in the area. In a recent 2024 survey, 92% of the local residents who responded were supportive of the relief road proposal.

Councillor Steve Keable, Mid Devon District Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration, said:

“The cricket square is just the beginning. This development is a symbol of the town's growth and ambition, and we look forward to seeing it come to life.

“We hope that by demonstrating our serious commitment to seeing the timely delivery of this critical infrastructure for Cullompton and the Culm Garden Village that the Government will do its utmost in enabling the delivery of the relief road and, in due course, upgrades to Junction 28 as well as the railway station.”

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said:

“The Town Centre Relief Road is essential to unlocking Cullompton’s potential and this is the first step in its delivery. During this time the existing cricket pitch will remain playable until the new one is ready.”

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This cricket pitch forms part of a wider state of the art sports development planned for the Culm Garden Village. More than 100 hectares of land has been proposed for green space and sports facilities including additional cricket pitches, tennis courts, football pitches, and more.

The land holds special significance in terms of local cricket with the family of Josh Farley, a local county cricketer at Bradninch Cricket Club, currently farming the land.

James Turner, Director of Lightwood Land, said:

“The delivery of the cricket square is a small but very significant step that will help enable the delivery of the much-needed town centre relief road and a fantastic facility for Cullompton Cricket Club and the town.

“The delivery of the square is the culmination of many years of hard work by Mid Devon Officers, Councillors, Cullompton Cricket Club, Devon County Officers, landowner and Lightwood all working collaboratively to make this happen. I look forward to enabling the delivery of more sporting facilities over the coming years.”

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Photos on the site of the new cricket square. Behind the people is where a second cricket pitch is proposed to be added. L-to-R: Claire Beech, Cullompton Cricket Club Treasurer / Cllr Steve Keable, Mid Devon District Council Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Regeneration / David Smith, Managing Director at White Horse Contractors / James Turner, Director at Lightwood Land / Mike Frost, Land Owner / (with cricket bat) Richard Stephenson, Cullompton Cricket Club Chairman / James Blackmore, Cullompton Cricket Club Trustee / Adrian Welsh, Group Manager for Growth, Economy & Delivery at Mid Devon District Council / Steve Macdonald, Architect at Sports Clubhouses / Rebecca Weare, Quantity Surveyor at Timms Eida Associates.