TAVISTOCK's mayor and the mayors of Okehampton and Hatherleigh are to present a united front in opposition to future housing proposals affecting their towns. The three mayors have formed a joint response to West Devon Borough Council's consultation regarding the local development framework — a central government-imposed target for housing which would see 600 new homes built in the borough by 2026. This is in addition to the 3,800 already included in the Local Plan. A draft response to the proposals was drawn up by Cllr Tony Leech, mayor of Okehampton, which members of Tavistock Town Council's finance committee were shown last week. Tavistock mayor Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'I think it's quite exciting that the three mayors are getting together like this — it's the first time I've known so much contact.' Cllr Jane Ramsey said: 'I do feel that when you have a group of people bonding together on the same issues their voices have more power than a single one.' Cllr Ramsay said it was important to realise that the population was ageing, yet the NHS was already 'over-burdened'. 'How are we going to cope in ten years' time if we are accelerating the number of houses?' she asked. Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'You have only got to ask anyone in Tavistock — a very large majority of people in the town are against this core strategy. The elderly are frightened by it, the youngsters say it's not the way they want things to go.' Cllr John Sellis said: 'You only had to drive through Tavistock last weekend to see what it would be like. It was absolute chaos then — we just can't take any more traffic. 'And I don't think any of the services will be adequate. When I joined the fire service in 1963 the number in the service was exactly the same as it is now. We are probably looking at double the number of people — I don't think the infrastructure has improved even now — there should be no more housing.' The committee agreed the idea of banding together would present a more powerful opposition — members also felt other Tavistock groups opposed to extra housing development such as the chamber of commerce, should be invited to join in. The mayors' response to West Devon states that the Government and county council's criteria on the development of the national housing stock was 'misconceived' and that towns and villages should be allowed to expand naturally and not have housing imposed on them. The draft statement says: 'Any new housing policy should be based around houses being built where there is spare capacity for employment at the moment and not in areas where, it is hoped, employment will follow. 'Only allocating housing around existing basic infrastructure puts excessive pressure on the social, as well as community infrastructure, that cannot be met with decreasing council budgets.' The mayors say upgrading of infrastructure needs action before housing starts. They also say the type of housing urgently needed is good quality affordable rented accommodation in well designed estates. The draft statement also raises concerns about the 'woefully low' turn out at public consultation events held in West Devon.