WEST Devon Borough Council's controversial development blueprint for the next 15 years has been given the green light by an independent government inspector.

The core strategy, which was examined during public hearings last November, was found to meet the government's tests and is considered 'sound' —despite uncertainty that infrastructure improvements for Tavistock including the railway will be deliverable by 2026.

There were strong campaigns both in Okehampton and Tavistock against the concentration of houses in specific areas of the borough's two main towns. Local residents said it would create urban extensions and destroy town centres. They said housing should be dispersed throughout the towns and in surrounding villages.

Planning inspector Paul Crysell has asked for a number of changes to be made, including allocating additional land for housing in Tavistock, should the council's vision for land off Callington Road for 750 houses and a railway link to Plymouth not come to fruition.

Mr Crysell said the West Devon core strategy was 'an ambitious plan designed to reinforce the historical settlement pattern in the borough, by focussing growth primarily on the two principal towns and allowing modest development in smaller settlements.' 

But he said he remained 'unconvinced' that there was sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the level of development proposed at Tavistock would be capable of supporting the range of facilities and infrastructure required without significant compromises, or that the timescale for site development and reinstatement of the railway line, estimated to cost £18.5-million, was feasible.

Regarding the proposal for 900 new homes for Okehampton Mr Crysell said the council's rationale for pursuing housing allocation to the east of Okehampton was 'credible' and one which he considered should be supported.

'A dispersed strategy might better reflect the piecemeal way in which the town has evolved in the past, but offers few other benefits and would risk increasing the amount of cross-town movement to employment areas and for those travelling to Exeter,' he said.

The core strategy document also includes a new primary school for Okehampton, a link road between Crediton Road and Exeter Road, enhancement to the hospital and improved bus services, plus the expansion of Tavistock Primary School, 13 hectares of employment land and a new hospital for the town.

Core strategy opponent Jeremy Davies from Tavistock said the representations to the inspector during the public enquiry had been worthwhile and all those who contributed should be congratulated.

'It is now beholden upon the council to honestly address his criticisms,' he said. 'The council must now recognise and acknowledge the need to reconsider the strategic plan for Tavistock, taking into account all that has been said.'

Central Devon MP Mel Stride, who has fought overdevelopment in Okehampton for the last five years, said he was 'bitterly disappointed' with the inspector's conclusions.

'The arguments that I and others made at the public hearing were compelling ­— for Okehampton this scale of development will mean unacceptable levels of congestion and pollution, along with the creation of an eastern development that will be disconnected from the rest of the town.

'Not only will our town suffer as a result of overdevelopment, but the smaller rural communities that actually need more development to remain sustainable, will be deprived of it.'

Mr Stride previously presented petitions against overdevelopment in Okehampton at both Parliament and 10 Downing Street.

West Devon Borough Council said it could now move forward with a framework to help deliver much needed housing and infrastructure in the borough.

The inspector's report can be found on the council's website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/strategicplanning">www.westdevon.gov.uk/strategicplanning