AN overwhelming rejection of proposals on the future development of Tavistock, as demonstrated in a recent parish poll, will accompany the town council's rejection of West Devon's draft core strategy document when it is sent to the borough.

The results of the poll, called for after an extraordinary town meeting in July, showed that 91% of those voting rejected the document drawn up by West Devon Borough Council.

The draft strategy allows for the construction of 750 new homes to the west of the town, a new hospital and school, re-instatement of the railway between Tavistock and Bere Alston and a new link road between Callington Road and Plymouth Road.

During a meeting of the town council's finance committee last week, members discussed how the results could be used most effectively.

Town mayor Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'The results of the poll will be presented as evidence to the inspector when the public inquiry is held into the core strategy — I think it would be prudent for the town council to write to make sure that happens.

'I think a letter should be written from us, asking the result to be put with our own evidence that we've already submitted regarding the core strategy.'

Cllr Govier suggested the results should also be sent to Okehampton Town Council.

Cllr Brian Trew said: 'There is overwhelming opposition to the core strategy and this should be taken into account.'

Cllr Michael Harper said although the poll turnout was only 12.8%, that should be compared with the turnout for the borough council's roadshows, at which the public were able to view the core strategy proposals and make comment.

Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'I don't know how the borough can say they had overwhelming support for the strategy at the roadshows.

'I was there and I didn't speak to one person who was in favour of it. We need to be really careful that we have it in writing, in our terms, not what someone else thinks we are saying about it.'

Cllr Philip Sanders said he attended the roadshow in Tavistock Town Hall.

'I was there all day. I spoke to everyone and I didn't find a single person in support of it that day.

'The borough council hasn't officially voted on this yet, so maybe we should be lobbying them — it hasn't had the official sign off,' said Cllr Sanders.

A spokesperson for the borough council said following the recent seven-week consultation into the draft core strategy, a report would go before the authority's future planning and housing committee on November 2, outlining issues raised through representations.

She said: 'The council will not be in a position to adopt a core strategy until after the planning inspector's public examination of the draft strategy, which will take place next year.'

The spokesman said almost 300 people attended the council's roadshows in Tavistock last year. In addition, many residents have emailed, telephoned and spoken to officers regarding the proposals.