RESIDENTS in West Devon are being urged to get involved in the long term vision for development in the borough, which will see more than 1,000 homes built in Tavistock over the next 16 years.

Borough councillors this week gave the green light for a consultation on the draft 'Our Plan', which sets out what the borough might look like in the future in terms of new homes, future jobs and infrastructure.

Three new sites have been added to the allocation of housing in the borough to help reach the planned requirement of housing by 2031 — these are all in Tavistock and are at Mount Kelly (off Old Exeter Road), Brook Farm and New Launceston Road and will total 155 homes.

Many sites have already been earmarked by the council to deliver the 4,323 homes required in the borough, but the authority is hoping to work with local communities on their own neighbourhood plans, so areas of development are dictated by the community not the borough council.

A formal consultation will start in February for six weeks and events are being planned for Okehampton, Tavistock, North Tawton, Hatherleigh, Bere Alston and Lifton, where officers will be able to listen to views and comments.

Cllr James McInnes said it was vital that local people played their part: 'I would urge communities to call public meetings — as a borough council we will be consulting on the draft Our Plan document but do not wait for us.

'It is important that as much discussion takes place for future development as possible so we get good feedback and the consultation becomes really meaningful. We don't just want the parish councils' thoughts but the public as well.'

The draft plan also sets out the council's approach to issues, including renewable energy and affordable housing.

The plan has been developed from information gathered around the borough over the last nine months and talks with organisations, businesses, residents and the volunteer sector. It is expected to deliver 216 extra homes per year up to 2031.

While the main growth will take place in the two main towns of Tavistock and Okehampton, the council is also looking to see new homes built across the borough to help communities remain sustainable and retain local facilities and services.

Expansion of employment land at Lifton Strawberry Fields and Yelverton Business Park is included in the plan and councillors stressed how important it was to improve employment opport-unities.

Cllr Mike Benson, who represents Bere Ferrers, said there was very little in terms of jobs where he lived, outside of farming, and he would like to see units where people could live and run businesses side by side.

'Live/work units have been created elsewhere and what a wonderful legacy if this borough could provide them too,' he said.

'People find it very difficult to buy a house and this way we could provide employment and accommodation.'

Mary Tavy councillor Terry Pearce said he was disappointed to see there was no provision for a ring road in Tavistock: 'We keep building more and more houses but where is the money to improve the highway infrastructure. Our roads cannot cope with all this extra traffic.'

Strategic planning officer Jo Perry said there was no specific need for a ring road around the town at this time but it was something that officers would continue to raise with Devon County Council for the future.

Neighbourhood Plan areas have to be designated by the end of the year and communities have to show sufficient progress on their plans by June 2017. If not, the borough council will take the lead in allocating new areas of land for development.

The consultation will be available on the council's website at http://www.westdevon.gov/ourplan">www.westdevon.gov/ourplan