A PETITION calling on the Government to rethink the scale of new housing being earmarked for Okehampton has had a response from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The petition, highlighting growing concerns within Okehampton over the effect Government housing targets could have on the town, was presented to 10 Downing Street on October 10.
It was organised by local campaign group the Okehampton Sustainable Development Group, which believes Okehampton will not be able to accommodate the 900 new houses planned for the town up to 2026 without 'severe and totally unsatisfactory' consequences.
Since its launch, the petition has attracted 2,653 signatures from residents anxious for their concerns to be highlighted.
The members of the group who travelled to London were group chair Carol Hookway, vice-chair Pam Stewart, Teresa Bishop, Mick Vern, Margaret and Derek Wollacott. They met Mel Stride, prospective parliamentary Conservative candidate for Central Devon in London.
The reply, directed to Mrs Hookway, was sent on behalf of the Prime Minister.
It said that the views of her recent letter and petition had been carefully noted.
It stated: 'The Prime Minister has asked that I pass your letter and petition to the Department for Communities and Local Government so that they are aware of your views and may reply to the detailed points raised in your letter.'
Mrs Stewart said she was 'disappointed' after receiving the letter.
'I feel we have been delegated. We were hoping there was going to be a re-think — I am disappointed.'
She expressed thanks to the volunteers who went door to door, the people who signed, and the businesses who helped collect signatures, particularly Occasions, the Okehampton Times, Red Rooster and Sweet Success.
• The deadline to send letters on the proposals to West Devon Borough Council is October 31.