THREE Liberal Democrat councillors, who represent different wards in Tavistock, say they have been deluged by letters, emails and phone calls from the public and the business sector, concerned about the impact the proposed new Sainsbury's development would have on the town. In a recent survey carried out by the Liberal Democrats in Tavistock, more than 500 people were asked what they thought of the area. Of the specific issues raised by residents, more than 90% were linked to over-development and traffic. Newly elected West Devon Borough Councillor Adam Bridgewater said: 'While out canvassing, people I met said that their biggest concern was that Tavistock was losing its charm. 'People seem to think that West Devon is just using new development to generate money by developer contributions through the granting of planning permission, much of which could be spent outside of Tavistock.' Borough and County Councillor Roy Connelly said: 'The Lib Dems nationally are against the development of supermarkets at the expense of town centre shops. A Lib Dem peer is currently introducing a bill in supporting small shops against the power of supermarkets.' Borough Councillor Alison Clish-Green, who represents the ward where the new Sainsbury's is proposed, said: 'I haven't come across a single person who wants this in Tavistock. We are just losing more and more green field open space.' And Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Adam Symons said: 'If we continue like this, Tavistock is going to lose its unique character and end up becoming an urban sprawl. Forget about the worries expressed about the change to boundaries, the borough council seems set to turn Tavistock into Plymouth anyway. 'Tavistock is an historic stannary town. It came out loud and clear from our survey work that the "wrecking" of Tavistock by over-development is what residents fear most. We should be worrying more about what happens to our town, rather than where the boundaries are.'
