WITH regard to the recent rejection of planning permission for a restaurant in West Street, and the refusal of the out of town supermarkets:

First of all, I must agree with the letters (October 30) from K McCarter and Cllr Cloke. Having run my own business in Tavistock for nearly 20 years, it never ceases to amaze me when planning committees reject applications on a very weak basis, with no thought to the investment and commitment being brought to the town.

Come on, planners, open your eyes, these companies are big players in the retail market. If they can see a future in Tavistock, why, oh why, can't you?

To think you will put your heads in the sand and look to industrial as opposed to retail and lots of employment for local people beggars belief. Just look at the old Focus Do-it-all site that's now empty and will remain so, because the planning committee when allowing the new Focus to be opened removed retail consent from the old site to, in their words, be used for manufacturing or storage only. So companies like Halfords will be stopped from taking this unit because some bright spark decided to lift the status of consent.

On the subject of West Street, where a very large shop has remained empty for eleven years, to think they have rejected this on the grounds that there are too many cafes in the town is bizarre.

This town is crying out for a good restaurant, and this shop is the perfect site. Companies are willing to invest in Tavistock — like Fat Face. Just think what would have happened if there were too many clothes shops in the town.

Come on, committee, do your homework and get it right for the town.

Simon Allen

simonallen894@

btinternet.com