CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Hatherleigh Market have abandoned plans to have it declared an Asset of Community Value (ACV) following an outcry from the developer which has bought the site.

Hatherleigh Market Community Interest Company withdrew the application to West Devon Borough Council after Kingswood Homes objected to the ACV designation, saying it ‘would not secure the continuation of the market or force Kingswood Homes to sell the site’.

The community group has also been removed from running the current market on Tuesdays as relations with the developer turned sour.

Kingswood Homes this week confirmed it had exchanged contracts to buy the land from previous owner Greg Vick of Vicks Auctioneers.

It has submitted plans for 102 houses together with a market square and pavilion to allow a weekly market to continue. The application will be decided by West Devon Borough Council.

Read the full story in the Okehampton Times, on sale today.