A FAR-REACHING vision for West Devon which includes a new health care facility, schools, improved transport links, opportunities for employment and much needed housing has won approval from West Devon Borough Council.

The West Devon core strategy sets out a clear, long term view for the future pattern of development across the borough, and includes a range of strategic objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning applications. 

The strategy maps out the future development of West Devon up to 2026 and has already won overwhelming support from the key organisations in the Borough.

Last week, borough councillors approved the preferred strategy with 22 votes for it and six against.

The document will now go out for final consultation to the public, before being submitted for public examination to a Government-appointed planning inspector early next year.

Cllr Diana Moyse, chairman of the borough council's future planning and housing committee, said that the four-year process to draw up the strategy had been very challenging and she was delighted with the council's decision.

She said: 'For the first time in the council's history we have a strategy where all the public services will work together to shape West Devon over the next 20 years.

'We have held numerous consultations with residents, interested groups, parish and town councils which have influenced this document.

'The core strategy will give us significant improvements to infrastructure along with 40% affordable housing, with more than a quarter of housing development planned for rural areas.

'This overarching strategy will shape our communities and inform development decisions up until 2026 – it's not just about tomorrow and it's not just about houses.'

Key proposals include:

l The re-opening of the railway line between Tavistock and Bere Alston.

l A commitment to work with rural communities to meet their development needs.

l New primary schools in Okehampton and Tavistock.

l Additional playing fields for Okehampton.

l Regeneration of the Hatherleigh Market site.

l New town centre relief road for Okehampton.

l A new health care facility for Tavistock.

l A new road linking proposed developments on Plymouth Road with those on Callington Road in Tavistock.

l 13 hectares of business and employment land in Tavistock and a further 10 hectares in Okehampton.

West Devon's two major towns, Tavistock and Okehampton, have the potential to cater for the majority of the development.

In Tavistock, 500 new homes are proposed near Callington Road. Currently there is one site in the town earmarked for around 250 homes — allocated in the 2005 local plan — which remains undeveloped.

In Okehampton, 900 new homes are proposed to the east of the town.

Two further sites in the town are due to be developed for around 500 homes — again allocated in the 2005 local plan. Planning permission has not yet been granted.