YOUR correspondent Anne Crampton sounds a note of warning about possible piecemeal development of the Okehampton recreational area. Following the disappointment in funding, this is likely to happen. We do not want history to repeat itself.
Many, many years ago, Okehampton's swimming facility was a peaty, green concrete, corrugated iron pool, beyond the castle.
For a long time there was much talk of something better. When it came at last, the excitement was so great that it was plonked down in the middle of the valley despite advice that it would be in the shadow of the hill, that it would ruin the sweep of the valley and would be difficult of access.
In the end it looked like a makeshift stockade, hurriedly thrown up by Buffalo Bill to repel an Indian attack.
With many sporting activities to be catered for, careful planning will be wanted, especially in the light of the inescapable fact that it will have to be done as money permits.
When the Ministry of Transport, under a Mr Ridley, were foisting their ill-sited bypass on the town, a beautiful table-top model was made of the affected route from A to B.
I do not suggest that such elaboration is essential, but if school or college could produce such, it would be a great help.
A less ambitious scheme would be a table-top size plan showing the whole of the area in question.
It would depict banks, hedges, mature trees and other unalterable features such as the all-weather pitch, the bowling green, fives court and inviolate grass areas.
Foolscap-size photocopies could be available for sports clubs, societies and concerned individuals.
If possible, on the same sheet would be scale diagrams of the minimum area necessary for each activity. These could be stuck on, or drawn round, requiring no draughtsmanship on the part of the voter to indicate his or her idea for the location of each. Ideas could be supported by a written note.
These papers would then be assessed by a very good, environment-dedicated, landscape sensitive architect who would then be in no doubt as to the views of the community.
G R Cook
Lyndridge Court
Ranelagh Road, Okehampton