A BLUEPRINT for development in West Devon over the next ten years will be the subject of three exhibitions in the borough over the next week.
The public are being asked to give their views on changes made to West Devon Borough Council's proposed local plan following the publication of the first draft in the autumn of 2000, which led to more than 1,000 comments from residents and organisations.
The second draft of the plan will be revealed at an exhibition in North Tawton Town Hall today (Thursday) followed by exhibitions in Tavistock Library on April 15 and Okehampton Charter Hall on April 18. Each event runs from 2pm to 7pm.
A number of changes have been made in light of opinions from the public, some of them reflecting the latest government requirements. Further comments are being sought from the public specifically on whether they support these changes.
More affordable housing and greater density on housing estates but more control over design and quality of developments are important policy changes of the draft local plan.
Principal forward planning officer Chris Dunford said the council was trying to ensure that housing was provided for all sectors of the community and to that end new sites — with more than 15 houses in Tavistock and Okehampton and two or more elsewhere — would be expected to have 40 per cent of affordable housing or homes available to households who cannot afford to either rent or purchase housing on the open market.
The policy has resulted from a survey which identified a high level of housing need in West Devon which is a low wage, high house price area.
An increase in density from 10 houses per acre to 12, which is a guideline from the Government, has raised concerns among the public but the planning officer said incorporated into the plan was a greater emphasis on design.
'The local authority will have more control over the design which will affect how the development impacts on the local environment more so than the density,' he said.
'More houses built on the same site means less greenfield sites will be needed.'
The second draft of the Local Plan can be inspected in borough council offices in Tavistock and Okehampton and both town libraries. Comments have to be submitted by May 22. Changes include:
Okehampton:
l Deletion of housing site east of Upcott
l A new policy restricting the reuse of the Castle Hospital site for medical purposes and housing where an element of care is provided for residents.
l Reduction in the size of site to the east of Okehampton at Crediton Road
l Identification of site off Crediton Road for second primary school in Okehampton
l Small reduction in size of site to south of Giblands
l Increased housing raises concern over traffic in town centre
Tavistock:
l Increase in size of housing site at Bishopsmead but to include protection of adjacent land for open space
l Change of designation of land at The Brook from housing to light industry
l Deletion of site east of The Priory
l Site for sport and recreation at Crowndale extended
l Increased housing raises concern over traffic in town centre
North Tawton:
l Deletion of housing and light industrial sites to the south of Moorview
l New site for housing to the east of High Street
l New light industry site at the former North Tawton Railway Station
Hatherleigh:
l Alteration of site to north of Moorview to enable improved landscaping
Bere Alston:
l Deletion of two new sites at Pentille Road and Long Orchard and new housing land off Woolacombe Road.
Lifton:
l Deletion of site between North Road and New Road.