I WOULD like to voice my disapproval of the speculative plans shown by the Hunt Group last week for a new housing development with a school and supermarket on land South of Giblands, Okehampton Hamlets.

The Hunt Group seem to have ignored both Central and Local Government legislation.

The West Devon Borough Council Local Development Framework Core strategy Development Plan (2006–2026) adopted April 2011, supports the Government's policies for development and sets outs the areas for development.  

For Okehampton it allows for approximately 900 new dwellings to the east of the town.

There is no substantiated requirement for an additional 60 new homes.

It should be noted that the Local Education Authority do not see a requirement for a new primary school. This was supported by Mrs Ball's letter to the Okehampton Times last week where she provided the actual figures for schoolchildren in Okehampton and refuted Mr Hunt's suggestion that the Okehampton Primary School is over subscribed.

There is no current need for a new primary school.

The National Planning Policy Framework and the Portas Review 2011 support the rejuvenation of the High Street and promotes the maintenance of existing Green Belt land. The West Devon Borough Council Development Plan states 'On sites outside Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Dartmoor National Park, particularly on the fringe areas of designated landscapes, development will not be permitted which would damage their natural beauty, character and special qualities or prejudice achievement of their designated purposes'.  

The West Devon Borough Council Development Plan supports the redevelopment of town centres and does not support out of town shopping developments. The borough council retail survey states 'The range of supermarkets at Okehampton meant that no further provision was required there'.  

There is no need for another supermarket in Okehampton, especially as it looks as if Tesco are going to build in town.

If the Hunt Group were to submit any planning permission for their proposal I would hope that it would be dismissed straight away as it conflicts directly with the agreed Local Development Framework Core strategy Development Plan and the Dartmoor National Park wish for the maintenance of a Green Belt.   

I sincerely hope that the West Devon Borough Council honour their long term Development Policies and protect Okehampton from being over-developed by large building and supermarket conglomerates.

Andy Elliott

Moorcroft Close

Okehampton