CONTROVERSIAL plans to create a 4x4 vehicle training centre on the outskirts of Tavistock have been withdrawn to look into environmental and highways concerns.
The application by former mayor of West Devon Richard Phillips for change of use of land in the Tiddybrook Valley provoked opposition from local residents who said it would ruin the valley, pose traffic dangers and leave an area of great landscape value open to development.
Agent for Mr Phillips Peter Rowan denied this week that the proposal had been withdrawn because of local objection.
?We just need to do some more work on it,? he said. ?The Environment Agency required a biodiversity study and a flood risk assessment to be carried out and things like that take a little time.
?Rather than keep deferring the application the planning officers advised us to withdraw the application and resubmit it once these issues have been addressed.?
Issues of access and highway safety will also be investigated following an objection from the Highways Authority.
Mr Rowan said there was a misconception among local people that it was going to be a rally track: ?This is a training facility, not a racing track. The vehicles would not be noisy because they would be crawling along in first or second gear.?
Residents vowed to fight the proposal at a recent public meeting in Grenofen.