DOLVIN ROAD residents, whose on-street parking was lost when their backwater was turned into Tavistock's relief road six years ago, are to get a last chance to argue their case for replacement spaces.

Owners of the cottages, some of which are Grade 11 listed, have clung-on to the hope that developers would include additional parking when the nearby former Abbey Garage site was sold.

But they could face further disappointment as planners battle with the choice of design over parking before it is marketed.

Resident Richard Howell said people in Dolvin Road had been 'treated very badly'.

'We were promised parking first at Vigo Bridge which didn't happen and now this,' he told the Times. 'We have been let down by everyone.'

He said that a number of residents had applied to build a hard-standing in their front garden but had been turned down by the borough council.

'The whole situation is wrong and the value of our homes has been reduced. Traffic passes within feet of front rooms and we suffer noise, pollution and lack of parking so trying to sell is difficult. Planners should try living here.'

And his neighbour Frank Chapple agreed: 'I just don't trust councils anymore, they have done nothing to help us. I know we can park in Abbey Rise car park but I know of three people who have had their cars broken into there.

'Only last Saturday three of the six designated parking spaces there were full. The markings are so indistinct that visitors would not notice it is reserved parking.'

But West Devon's head of planning, Stephen Gill, said the council had not run away from the issue.

He described the former garage site as 'extremely important' and said it was paramount to achieve an excellent design for the sensitive area.

The brownfield site at the bottom of Whitchurch Road, owned by the borough council, has remained vacant for a number of years since the demolition of the former garage.

It could prove difficult to market because of the number of planning constraints including significant variations in ground levels, being close to listed buildings and limited access.

Last Tuesday, when West Devon's planning committee members agreed to a planning brief for consultation before the site is marketed, they were told planning officers found it 'extremely difficult' to achieve a satisfactory mixed development with additional parking.

But the present Local Plan, drawn up in 1995, envisaged that the redevelopment of the site would provide some additional car park spaces.

Mr Gill said: 'There is no mention of parking for Dolvin Road residents in the new draft Local Plan which supersedes the old one and will go on deposit on September 1.

'Circumstances have changed and residents do have the option of obtaining fee parking permits for use in the council's car parks at Abbey Rise and Brook Street.

'Given the great importance of this site in townscape terms, it is considered that design and visual appearance considerations outweigh the desirability of providing parking for nearby residents.'

At the meeting, Cllr Dick Eberlie asked if an underground car park could be provided at the site.

Principal planning officer Jane Green said the levels were extremely difficult but it was an option that could not be ruled out.

Cllr Robin Pike said it was an awkward site.

'Whatever goes there, I see it as a multi-level development,' he said.

Mr Gill said it was important to get the consultation under way.

'It needs a great deal of flexibility. Time is of the essence and we need to get on with it,' he said.

Before marketing begins, the borough council will consult with the town council, Devon County highways, South West Water, Environment Agency, local residents and other interest parties.

One of the ward members, Cllr Ted Sherrell, said: 'There was a commitment made many years ago and the council has reneged on it.

The residents of Dolvin Road have been treated shamefully and deserve better.'