PROPOSALS for a further 750 dwellings to be located on the western fringes of Tavistock and a 'mixed-use' area, including retailing floorspace, to the south of the town have been strongly criticised by the Tavistock Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber this week submitted its representations on proposals contained within West Devon Borough Council's core strategy document, which has been the subject of a recent consultation exercise.

Chamber chairman Nigel Eadie said: 'The future development of the town will affect everyone, and needs to be taken extremely seriously.

'We must ensure we get it right in order to protect our valuable assets of heritage and environment, but also to ensure any future growth complements what we have already and does not detract from that.'

The chamber has engaged Stephen Gill, a chartered planning consultant and the former head of planning and development at the borough.

Mr Gill said: 'The chamber does not object in principle to the further sustainable growth of the town, but in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented by housing and population growth, particularly in respect of sustaining businesses and the vitality and viability of the town centre, it does object to those elements of the strategy which seek to encourage out-of-town retailing and discourage accessibility to the town centre.

'The proposed rail link, if ever delivered, and the new road, both seem aimed at encouraging trips out of town and no thought seems to have been given to improving accessibility to the town centre.'

The proposed blueprint for the town seeks to develop 500 houses, in addition to the 250 houses already allocated on the western side of town, and is linked to the re-opening of the railway line. A replacement hospital, school and new road to link to planned development at Plymouth Road, including the supermarket, is also suggested.

The chamber's detailed and lengthy response also seriously questions how and when the necessary infrastructure will be delivered and the sources of funding for such.

Mr Eadie said: 'The whole strategy seems ill-conceived and deliberately turns its back on the town centre. While it might be easier to get to Plymouth and other out of town retail centres, the issues for the town centre such as accessibility, congestion, parking as well as economic viability will only worsen.'

The council is currently considering all the responses received before finalising their plans in March/April next year.