THE protest against further housing development in Okehampton took on a two-pronged attack this week as West Devon united to try to deliver a resounding blow to the plans. As fears grow for the future of Okehampton and rural communities, residents are stepping up their opposition to the proposed plans and have been joined by a united response from the mayors of Okehampton, Tavistock and Hatherleigh. A number of Okehampton residents, who have banded together to form the Okehampton Sustainable Development Group, are doing all they can to stop the proposed development in Okehampton as outlined in West Devon Borough Council's Local Development Framework Plan. More than 40 people met in Red Lion Yard on Saturday to march around the town centre with placards stating their objections to the development. A further 350 signatures were collected and added to the existing petition of around 1,000 signatures. The group intends to deliver a petition of at least 5,000 signatures to Downing Street. In a statement, the group said: 'Okehampton does not have the infrastructure in place to cope with large scale development. 'The vast number of new houses which have already been built in the last ten years is more than enough to meet local and national demand for housing, affordable or otherwise. 'We realise that similar situations are causing concern to residents all over the South West, not only due to the number of new homes being built and the failure of infrastructure to keep pace, but also the very nature of the developments. 'We suggest that people get together and arrange their own petitions for their own areas and then liaise with the Okehampton group to arrange delivery of petitions on the same date to Downing Street, increasing the impact.' The group feels that with further development traffic problems in Okehampton will increase, the sewers will not be able to cope, health services will come under increasing pressure and the whole area will be ruined 'irrevocably'. They also fear that Okehampton will become a commuter town for Exeter which will increase the town's carbon footprint and detract people away from the town centre, resulting in the loss of small independent traders. Their concerns have been echoed in a letter sent by the mayors of Okehampton, Tavistock and Hatherleigh to all town and parish clerks in Devon, all Devon MPs, the chief executive of Devon County Council, the chief executive of the South West Regional Assembly, the Minister of State responsible for planning and the Prime Minister. Okehampton mayor Tony Leech said: 'It is a letter to show concerns of the rural community and it is hoped that everyone in charge of local councils will write to show solidarity for Devon. 'We must not let housing plans go through by default, it will be no use complaining after the fact. The houses will be built if we do not stop the process now.' The joint belief of the mayors is that planning rules for rural communities should not be based upon urban models and the towns and villages should be allowed to expand naturally without having houses imposed on them. Said the letter: 'We are sure the local authorities will say they have fully consulted with the communities but we would like to point out that although our local authorities have held consultation events, the turnout has been woefully low. 'The community feels that the consultations carried out so far are just going through the motions and as we have been told that the amount of houses being imposed on us is not up for discussion, we tend to agree with them.' West Devon Borough Council has reiterated it is working to ensure infrastructure is in place to serve any new developments, residents are being listened to and their concerns about the impact possible developments could have are understood. To take their protest to the next level, the Okehampton Sustainable Development Group needs more volunteers, particularly people to help collect signatures for their petition. Anyone who can help, even if in a small way, can contact Pam on 01837 659642, Carol on 01837 54723 or Teresa on 01837 53028.
