AN urgent call has gone out from the Okehampton Sustainable Development Group for residents to help in its fight to prevent widespread development in the town. The group is opposed to the proposals outlined in West Devon Borough Council's Local Development Framework Plan that could potentially see a minimum of 1,400 new homes built in Okehampton by 2026. The group is trying to halt these plans as it believes the town does not have the infrastructure in place to support them. It hopes to take a petition to Downing Street in the near future with as many signatures on it as possible — ultimately, they hope to collect around 5,000 signatures. In a statement, the group said: 'We need as many people as possible to sign our petition regarding our opposition to 1,400 new houses being planned for Okehampton when there is not the infrastructure in place to support them. 'Please would everybody who has not yet signed call into the Red Rooster Café in Fore Street, Occasions in the Arcade or Kempley's Catch in Kempley Road to sign. 'Alternatively, there is a relevant petition on the Prime Minister's website — by going to http://www.petitions.pm.gov.uk/SAVEOKEHAMPTON">www.petitions.pm.gov.uk/SAVEOKEHAMPTON. 'Act now before the traffic and parking problems get much worse and the sewers overflow!' The group has faced opposition in recent weeks as some people are adopting the pro-development argument. Writing to the Times at the start of May, Dr Paul Nielson said: 'I believe that Okehampton has the spare capacity, appropriate infrastructure and excellent road links to continue expanding and help meet the unarguable housing needs of our population. 'Okehampton has travelled a long way. It would be foolish not to be positive about the future. our young and old deserve an improved, and better, future.' Dr Nielson's comments were supported by Barrie Duke from Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge, who believes that further development will enhance the town and that traffic problems have been reduced, on the whole, to rush hour queues. Okehampton mayor Kay Bickley and Okehampton Town Council remain adamant that there can be no further development until the town's infrastructure has been improved. Cllr Bickley said: 'There should be no further development without the infrastructure and proper consultation. 'There clearly is a need for housing and I do see a big need for good quality rental housing. 'This needs to be supported by schools, transport, hospitals and roads to accommodate the growth. There must be proper plans for this, it can't be infrastructure by the back door.' Cllr Bickley confirmed that Okehampton Town Council will be writing to West Devon Borough Council to ask for any further proposals regarding the future development of Okehampton to be given to them as quickly as possible in order to ensure they have adequate time to hold proper consultations with the town.
