A CALL for improved communication was issued during a meeting in Tavistock last week, regarding the possibility of creating a formal car park on land in Pixon Lane. The land is owned by Tavistock Town Council, which recently came under fire from a resident whose home backs onto the site. Debbie Jones had received strongly worded letters from solicitors acting on behalf of the council, claiming she had been trespassing on the land. Cllr Ted Sherrell, during last week's meeting of the town's properties committee, said residents should be treated with more courtesy. Cllr Sherrell said: 'I have had sight of this legal letter and technically, I have no doubt it was correct, but I do feel the tenor of the letter was not as it should be. I would hope that from now on, in any correspondence we have, people are treated with more courtesy and respect — these letters need not be confrontational.' Deputy mayor Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'There are concerns about what might be happening in this area and I do think we need to work closely with people there. 'There are a number of groups who have access over that land to get to their units — I think a lack of knowledge is causing some of these groups concern. There's also a long standing problem with water pipes down there and before anything happens I would like that situation resolved. I know the scouts have had terrible problems, and the rifle club.' Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'I think it's very important that we liaise with these groups and clubs, so they don't find out what we are doing via the press. 'It's common courtesy that we notify them in writing. We are not saying it is going to be a car park but we do have a responsibility to our residents, community groups and employers as there are a lot of people that would be affected. We should write to these people as soon as we know anything.' Cllr Iain Andrews, chairman of the properties committee, suggested a list be drawn up of all groups in the area who could be affected by any future project to create a formal car park on the land.
