DEEP misgivings were voiced at a meeting in Tavistock last week, concerning a 'huge' development planned for the edge of the town.

Four former town mayors warned that the consequences of building 750 houses on land off Callington Road could have far-reaching effects on the community — and they stressed that town councillors should fight every step of the way to protect Tavistock and its unique setting and history.

Housing giant Bovis has submitted an outline planning application for the development, following public consultations earlier this year.

Cllr Mandy Govier, at last Wednesday's special meeting of the town council, told members: 'I really think we have to get this right. This is huge this estate. Some of the other developments we've had recently have been about 120 homes — this is 750.'

Cllr Govier said it was vitally important the town council made sure the Section 106 conditions, which would cover the contributions to the community by Bovis as part of it gaining planning consent, were detailed and specific.

And she warned that this aspect was even more important, given that the scheme would be completed in phases.

'I've seen it before — some of the things you think you have agreed at a planning meeting don't actually happen because of phasing — we need to be really careful.'

Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'I completely agree. We need more detail, and we need to be kept in the loop when things change. We need to be kept aware of every stage and we need to keep our eye on the ball, otherwise we will end up with a very different 106 agreement to what we think we are getting.

'We have to make sure we are in the driving seat as far as we possibly can be with this.'

Cllr Johnson said it was 'a great shame' that many of the 'sweeteners' which had been suggested when the idea of developing the site first arose had now 'fallen off the list'.

She also predicted 'major problems' in Callington Road arising from the thousands of extra car movements generated by such a large estate.

Cllr David Whitcomb said traffic using Callington Road was regularly 'gridlocked' now — he was concerned how the town council could impress on the relevant authorities that some solution would have to be found.

Cllr Jenny Metcalf said: 'We must be very, very careful — the character of Tavistock is very special — we don't want it spoilt.'

Cllr John Sellis said: 'When this came up in the first place we were promised a road to the A386, a school when there's now just a piece of land for a school, we were promised a hospital, sheltered accommodation — now all we are getting is 750 and maybe the railway.'

West Devon Borough Council planning officer Ben Dancer said it was too early to say what road improvements would be suggested, but the borough council would work with Devon County Council's highways department on the issue.

Whatever suggestions were made would have to be backed up with statistical evidence — and any counter suggestions would have to be similarly evidenced.

He said in planning terms, 'inconvenience' caused by heavy traffic was not a basis for refusing an application.

'Members should be aware that the national planning policy framework makes reference to highways improvements and that they must be severe to refuse an application on a highways basis,' said Mr Dancer.

He said the outline planning application dealt only with the principle of development.

The developer would be likely to deal with the site in phases, with further 'reserved matters' applications giving extra details. Each proposal would be drawn up on the basis of viability by the developer, and it would be up to the planning authority to agree — or disagree and negotiate.

The council agreed to note the outline application, commenting that it needed further information regarding the Section 106 conditions.

The council further requested that ward members should be actively consulted on these conditions, which should include provision for the construction of an alternative access road.

The council also said it had concerns about the capacity of Callington Road to deal with existing traffic — and serious reservation about its ability to deal with additional movements.