AS senior members of West Devon Borough Council we have always been grateful to the Times for its fair and comprehensive reporting of the achievements of the council, particularly those relating to the development of land and housing. Therefore, we are both at a loss to understand Mr Alex Wood?s letter of July 6. While we would prefer not to refute the assertions of one individual through the letters column of the Tavistock Times, we feel that because of the successful partnership and rapport we as long serving members have achieved with our senior staff, his opinions should not go unchallenged. Local Plans take some time to develop, often against the background of changing Government legislation and certainly over the lifetime of more than one council. Our borough planning officer, Stephen Gill, has a unique skill in negotiating between the art of the actual with Government departments determined to deliver an urban agenda versus the possible of what needs to be achieved for our local rural communities. It?s not easy. It is a painstaking approach and the outcomes are delivered with the full knowledge and support of all members. With regard to affordable housing, yes, we would like more in our smaller rural communities but first we have to negotiate with central Government from where it clearly doesn?t want to be or to go. In the meantime, it can?t be too bad that the council will have negotiated £6m over the next five years from developments in our larger communities to be spent on affordable housing, and will have delivered 600 homes without one penny coming from the council taxpayer. And of course, the achievement of World Heritage site status for Tavistock and the unbelievable economic benefits for the area is just another story . . . We could go on, but Mr Wood?s political party has equal representation on all the committees at West Devon and those members could well bring him up to speed. Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman, future planning and housing committee. Cllr Roger Mathew, chairman, planning and licensing committee.
