DEVELOPERS have been called upon to hold a public meeting to inform Callington residents of their proposals for 200 new homes in the town.

Exeter-based planning consultants Bell Cornwell are considering a site to the west of South Hill Road almost opposite the fire station and including the old South West Water site.

Cornwall councillor Andrew Long, who has highlighted the plans, said the developers had agreed to have a meeting with town councillors.

He said:?'This has come as quite a shock as the number of houses proposed equals 50% of the proposed housing requirements under the emerging core strategy over the next 20 years for the whole of the community network area.'

The Caradon community network area covers Callington, Calstock (the largest of the parishes), Linkinhorne, South Hill, St Dominick, St Mellion, St Ive and Pillaton.

'This will obviously cause concern to the population, considering the fact that the community college is full to capacity already and any future developments would require major capital works on increasing the size of the college,' added Cllr Long.

He said he had written to the company suggesting that, as soon as the pre-application phase, where developers discuss their plans with planning officers, was completed a public meeting should be held to inform the community of the proposals, including what benefit in infrastructure the community would expect if an application was successful.

Callington town councillors agreed a moratorium on any future development in the town unless there were infrastructure improvements.

Bell Cornwell were unavailable for comment as the East Cornwall Times went to press.