I AM surprised that the chairman of the Partnership Committee appears, in his letter (September 17), to be suggesting that only his committee is capable of vision and of preserving all that is good about Tavistock.

Mr Eberlie has clearly not reviewed comments by Tavistock Town Council against planning applications over many years. Any scrutiny reveals that there is absolutely no sign of Tavistock Town Council promoting shabby piecemeal and ugly development.

The point made in your report, printed September 9, referred only to householders who reside outside the current conservation area and would be inside the boundary proposed by the Partnership Committee.

Tavistock Town Council was asked to review the proposals during the consultation phase and submit their views.

The council responded, indicating that they were concerned at the expansion of the conservation area causing more householders to incur more expense, as they have to follow the new restrictions. The view I expressed was wholly consistent with that response.

I am aware, and it is a fact, that the committee chaired by Mr Eberlie has every right to discard any comments submitted during the consultation phase. However, he is also aware that matters agreed by Tavistock Town Council and submitted as part of their response remain as policy and are not changed by decisions of his committee.

Cllr Harry Smith

Chairman Finance and General Purposes Committee

Tavistock Town Council