THE possibility of future community development in Chagford has been protected, say residents who welcomed Dartmoor National Park Authority decision to reject a major planning application for the town. The proposed development by Dennis Wilkinson Ltd would have comprised 25 category II sheltered housing units with one warden?s unit, a 40-bed nursing home and eight affordable housing units and the associated highway widening of Bretteville Close to provide access. Chagford Parish Council objected to the proposal, noting that the land adjacent to Bretteville Field was one of the few places around the town where future development, such as a car park or community hall, ?necessary to the future economic and social viability of the town?, could occur in the next 20 years. Councillors said the proposed access would not allow this development to occur and was therefore ?not in the long term interests of the parishioners?. The authority?s development control committee went with the officer?s recommendation to reject the application at a recent meeting. Chagford ward borough councillor Peter Hill, said: ?We have to look to the future.? Cllr Hill said he hoped the applicants might still be able to come back and resolve the issues regarding access. ?I hope the applicants will talk to the planners and maybe they can come back with something more in line with what the thinking is with the planners as well as ourselves. ?I think the town will need additional car parking in the future. It is something long-term,? he said. The report to members stated in the absence of justification of need for this sort of development, the proposal would constitute ?an unjustifiable extension of development into the open countryside which would detract from the character and appearance of this part of the National Park?. Dartmoor National Park Authority received 29 letters of objection, two letters of support, plus one other letter in relation to the proposal.