TODAY (Thursday) is the last date for the public to submit their comments on the controversial planning application for a major housing estate to be build at Monksmead, Tavistock.

The proposed outline application by Bovis Homes is now before West Devon Borough Council.

National developer Bovis wishes to build on land adjacent to Callington Road a mixed use development comprising up to 750 dwellings, a primary school site, a local convenience store, railway station with related development and associated infrastructure; the application includes detailed drawings for a new vehicular and pedestrian access from the A390.

In partnership with Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council, one of the conditions of the development would be that Bovis Homes would help to reinstall the five-and-a-half mile former Tavistock to Bere Alston railway line, estimated to cost £18.5 million.

Under a Section 106 agreement between the developer and the local authority a small percentage of the sale price of each of the new houses to be built, will, in effect, be put into a pot which will fund the railway's construction. The terms of the Section 106 are yet to be finalised.

The proposals followed a period of consultation in February, which included an exhibition, meetings with local residents and councillors, and a dedicated website.

Ian Jewson, project planning consultant for Bovis, told the Times: 'Discussions with officers at West Devon Borough Council on the details of our application are continuing and we are hoping it will go to the planning and licensing committee at the earliest opportunity.'