THE people of West Devon are being asked to give their views on where to build around 3,800 new houses in the borough over the next 20 years. The latest figures on the number of new homes are contained in the South West Regional Assembly?s new regional draft plan unveiled earlier this month. West Devon Borough Council must now decide where these houses should go as part of its draft core strategy document, which aims to guide future development in the area for the next two decades. Balancing the number of new homes with new jobs and limiting the impact of any new development on the environment is key to the strategy. The strategy is aimed at providing much needed, locally distinctive, housing to boost the prosperity of towns and villages. Some housing in rural areas will support the future of smaller communities and the viability of schools, post offices and other community facilities. Over the next few weeks a series of roadshows are being staged in the borough for the public to find out more about the draft strategy and give its views on what is proposed. Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman of the council?s future planning and housing committee, called for as many people in West Devon as possible to go along to the road shows and make their views known. ?It is absolutely crucial that residents take the time to study these proposals. People often say that they want to be more involved in the planning process of their area. This is the ideal opportunity to take part in that process.? The roadshows are being held at: l North Tawton Street Market on Saturday June 17 from 10am to 12.30pm l Hatherleigh Market on Tuesday June 20 from 9am to 1.30pm l Bere Alston Village Hall on Thursday June 22 from 2pm to 7pm l Okehampton Market on Saturday June 24 from 10am to 4pm l Lifton Church Hall on Tuesday 27th June from 5pm to 8pm l Tavistock Pannier Market on Thursday June 29 from 9am to 3pm. The council is proposing that the majority of the new houses should be built in Okehampton and Tavistock, but with a significant number in the smaller communities around West Devon. Draft new policies could see developers having to guarantee that 50% of new housing developments are affordable homes for local people. In rural areas, the figure could increase to 80% on smaller sites in villages where an urgent need for affordable housing has been identified.
