A RESOUNDING 'No to more houses' was voiced at Okehampton on Monday night at a meeting to discuss the plans for further development in the town. The town council's planning committee met to respond to West Devon Borough Council's Local Development Framework. Government-appointed inspectors have recommended that a further 600 houses be built in West Devon over the next 18 years. This is on top of the 3,800 proposed last year and will see a minimum of 900 new homes built in Okehampton by 2026. The borough council has held roadshows throughout West Devon to highlight the proposed areas where the new homes could be built. The three options for Okehampton consisted of a large development to the east of the town, a split development between the east and the west and a mixed development throughout the town. But the town council felt all the options were unacceptable and the town could not 'absorb' any further development until the required infrastructure was in place. Cllr Kay Bickley said: 'I oppose all three options as there are huge infrastructure problems that are not addressed in the development framework. 'The consultation held by the borough council at the Charter Hall was helpful and outlines the pressure that is on West Devon, but the Government do not understand the concept of rural — we live in a rural area not urban fringe.' Cllr David Weeks said: 'This is short-sightedness by the government and by the developers. We won't be anybody unless we put stand up now. They will ruin this town for money.' These sentiments were echoed by a large number of the public who attended the meeting and made clear their feelings on the proposed houses. But Cllr Charles Letchford argued that the fact is the houses are going to be built in Okehampton, and the town council should respond to the framework constructively rather than delivering a flat 'no'. Before a vote was cast, Okehampton mayor Tony Leech warned councillors that if they voted for complete opposition then they would have no ground to fall back on. But councillors opposed all three options. Five councillors voted in favour of the motion with one abstention and one against. Cllr Leech added that if the town wanted to stop any further development then there must be a 'huge groundswell of support' from, not only Okehampton, but from towns across the country that are in similar situations. He said that more than half the population of Okehampton would have to write to officials to voice their opposition. 'We have to act if we want to make a difference and I will not be giving up,' he said. Responding to the town council's decision, West Devon Borough Council planning policy manager Chris Dunford said: 'Okehampton Town Council is an important consultee and we will have to take their views on board. However, the housing numbers are not up for debate — we have to find somewhere for them. 'The issue is how and where we deliver them, and the numbers have to be delivered in sustainable locations such as Okehampton and Tavistock.'
