REPRESENTATIVES of a planning company have been told by Tavistock councillors that another application for a housing development in the town would be ‘seriously unpopular’ with residents.

Grassroots Planning Ltd and Land Value Alliances, who have acquired a site of three field parcels east and west of Violet Lane in Tavistock, gave a presentation to the town council’s development management and licensing committee recently. They sought feedback ahead of their future submission of an outline planning application for up to 130 dwellings, public open space, new access point from Mount Tavy Road and community infrastructure on the site.

The companies presented the committee with two options for the planned development, one for 130 dwellings and one for 110. They said they wanted to meet with the council at an early stage to discuss the emerging proposals and ‘help shape them’. They wanted to canvas the council on what social infrastructure would be welcome, should the development be approved, and also to gather the council’s thoughts on the site and the design options.

Following the presentation, councillors expressed their concerns about the proposal given the ‘inadequate’ road system in that area, the heavy use of adjoining roads at school times, the fact that Green Lane is a single-car carriageway and regularly closed when icy, and the general problem of speeding traffic.

Cllr Andy Hutton said: ‘There are a few new developments planned for Tavistock and no extra facilities to accompany them — people are very worried.’

Cllr Anne Johnson said: ‘There are no NHS dentists available in Tavistock at all and there are no jobs here — where are these new people going to work?’

Cllr Paul Ward added: ‘I think your timing is very unfortunate. I can assure you that a development of this size at this time, with a few others imminent, would be very unpopular. The town has no appetite for any further development at this time. It will be seriously unpopular.’

Grassroots Planning Ltd and Land Value Alliances will be looking to undertake a public consultation on the planned application in early spring.