WEST Devon Borough Council is taking the next step towards its long-term vision for the future of Tavistock as it develops proposals to provide new health services, improve public transport, expand employment opportunities and educational facilities in the town. With the future housing needs of the town high on the public agenda, the council is adamant that the correct infrastructure must be in place to meet the needs of all residents over the next 15 to 20 years. The council is also keen to clarify how many homes are likely to be needed for Tavistock. Currently, there is one site in the town earmarked for around 250 homes — allocated in the 2005 local plan — which remains undeveloped. The council considers that a further 500 houses are likely to be needed in the town by 2026. The council has been consulting with the public and its partners about this housing option and where they could be built. Road shows were held in February and March this year to allow the public an opportunity to forward their views. No firm decision has yet been made on where the houses could be situated. Developers interested in building these homes have approached the council with their ideas and possible sites for development. Among them is development company Kilbride, which is making a case for the required housing to be built alongside reopening the railway line between Tavistock and Bere Alston. These sites are being considered as part of the core strategy, which details how future planning will be managed. Cllr Diana Moyse, chairman of the council's future planning and housing committee, said: 'The council must now carefully consider which option is best for the town in meeting its community's needs over the next two decades, particularly as there is the possibility that the rail link to Tavistock could be reopened. 'We understand the concerns of people who take issue with some details of the strategy, including the housing need, but we want to make it clear that this is a long-term plan and any major development will be phased over the next 15 to 20 years. ' With extensive and detailed work currently being carried out with the council's partners on the infrastructure needs of the town, the next draft of the core strategy, due to have come out this month, will be published early next year instead. Following new government regulations on council's core strategies, the new publication date is not expected to significantly delay the timeframe of the process. The final strategy is expected to go before a planning inspector at a public examination due to be held later next year. For more information about the core strategy, contact the council's strategic planning team on 01822 813600 or visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/corestrategyoptions">www.westdevon.gov.uk/corestrategyoptions
