TRAFFIC congestion in North Tawton could soon be a thing of the past now long-awaited plans for a town car park have come before West Devon Borough Council.

The town has stressed the need for a car park for more than 50 years, but the campaign has gained weight since North Tawton was identified as a growth town, with 150 new houses planned over the next 14 years.

Wims UK Ltd has applied for planning permission to demolish Bloggs Garage in The Square and construct a 40-space public car park, a block of sheltered housing flats and three dwellings.

The application has been linked with Wims' proposal for 73 houses on land to the rear of High Street and Exeter Street.

Both plans will be the subject of a site inspection before they are determined.

Town clerk of North Tawton Town Council Alison Baker said a car park for the town was well overdue.

'There were problems here in the 1950s so it is easy to see how they have accumulated over the years,' she said.

'Traffic congestion affects the economic viability of the town because if people cannot find anywhere to park they bypass us and drive off to the nearest town.

'In a town of this size everybody is reliant on each other to survive.'

She said Bloggs had been a garage for more than 60 years and its closure would also have an affect on the town, but things could not stand still.

'It will be sad to lose the garage because it is the only petrol station in the area, but we cannot leave the place in a time-warp and we have to make the best of what is available at the time,' she added.

At a meeting of the borough council's planning committee last week members were informed that the developers were meeting the cost of providing the car park and they had contributed £120,000 to increase sewerage capacity in North Tawton.

In addition, drainage from the housing development would be taken away from the site so as not to add to the town's flooding problems.

Head of planning and development Stephen Gill said it had taken five years to get these plans on the table and he thanked members for their patience.

'We understand there are some concerns about the detail of the plans and for that reason a site inspection has been recommended. but we are absolutely delighted to get to this stage,' he said.

Ward member for North Tawton Cllr Nick Morgan said he totally agreed with a site visit as he was concerned about a number of issues, including the

design of the houses, drainage and hedgerows.

'I would like to see representatives from all agencies at the site meeting so everyone has a clear picture of the location and the proposals,' he said.