WEST Devon Borough Council has again refused permission for the demolition of the 70-year-old empty and run down Moorcroft Inn, Exeter Road, Okehampton, to make way for the proposed and expected eight new dwellings by Sylvan Developments Ltd (winners of the prestigious Best New Family Homes, South West, sponsored by West Country Publications Ltd.)
Okehampton is a very pleasant West Devon town that has a positive and forward thinking policy to be a leading player in the county?s future prosperity.
This decision to refuse the application is surely a retrograde step given the compelling evidence supplied that there have been five owners of this establishment since 1996 and yet none of them were able to turn the inn into a profitable business.
The overriding reason is that the A30 by-pass installed some ten years ago directed the traffic away from the Moorcroft and left it bereft of previous passing trade which was essential.
The centre of Okehampton has a large number of high quality licensed businesses and there is no incentive whatsoever to walk or drive to the eastern end of town to patronise the inn which has been in steady decline for several years.
The next large new development will be at Laburnum allotments opposite the police station due to commence shortly, certainly well in advance of any further planned houses at this end of the Exeter Road other than the eight that were proposed by Sylvan Developers some 18 months ago.
Is it in the interests of Okehampton residents to see a continuing decaying building like the Moorcroft Inn looking more and more derelict?
It could carry on as it is for years unless the sensible proposal of a few more pleasant houses is given the green light and an early start to transform this part of Okehampton into the pleasant looking area to match the rest of this very go ahead town of ours.
Ken Porcher
10 Moorcroft Close
Okehampton