WEST DEVON MP Geoffrey Cox has told the planning inspector who will decide the fate of the borough's controversial development blueprint that it should only be accepted if there is no alternative.

Mr Cox said he shared the 'considerable unease' that a number of residents had expressed to him about the decision to deploy the main housing development on a sensitive greenfield site off Callington Road.

He expressed his views in a letter to the six-day public enquiry which was held in Tavistock.

The main concern from opponents about the development document, which dictates how the borough will expand over the next 16 years, is that the 750 houses proposed for the site will create an 'urban extension'.

Opponents have requested a more dispersed housing policy and have been critical of the council's interest in one site which they say is intrinsically linked with getting a rail link reinstated in the town.

Mr Cox said the area affected was of great landscape and historic value to Tavistock, which was a town of immense architectural and historic distinction.

'The unique situation of Tavistock, within a valley the rural nature of which was still largely unspoilt, is an integral part of its appeal,' he said.

'Therefore, in my view, this core strategy should only be adopted as sound if there is no practicable alternative that would achieve broadly similar aims.'

His comments have been welcomed by campaigners against the core strategy, who said that the MP's view would add strength to their arguments expressed at the enquiry.

Mr Cox said that over the past two years he had held meetings with planning officer, councillors and residents to look into the issues surrounding the fundamental decision to concentrate the bulk of future housing development in an urban extension to the west and south west of the town.

He accepted that more housing was needed in Tavistock over the next 16 years and the rate of construction proposed (75 a year until 2026) was lower than the actual rate of construction since 2001 (90 a year).

'I understand that West Devon Borough Council has attempted to consider the future development of the town having regard to the need to create space for the new school, hospital, housing for the elderly , transport and employment that its growing population will require,' said the MP.

'I also accept that detailed planning for the site will take place in close consultation with the public over the next few months and years, and that it is the council's intention to demand a very high level of both architectural merit and construction in keeping with the historic quality and importance of the existing town.

'However, I share the considerable unease that a number of residents have expressed to me about the decision to deploy the main housing development on a sensitive greenfield site in the proposed location.'

Jeremy Davies from the Protect the Tavy Valley Action Group said: 'I am very pleased that Mr Cox feels this is not the right plan for Tavistock.

'Our concern is that the borough council has no plan B — it has put all its eggs into one basket — a proposal which is on very dubious grounds.

'The council has not given proper consideration to a reasonable alternative of various dispersed sites in and around the town, particularly in the strong likelihood that the railway will be unviable and undeliverable.'