On Saturday a group protesting about building houses on the former Carmelite Monastry walked from Bedford Square to the site at Watts Road. En route they collected more than 60 signatures for a petition calling on the borough council to re-assess the development.
One of the protestors, North Tavistock resident Gill Gorbutt, said what was happening on the Carmelite Monastry was 'the loss of a natural and historic oasis' in the area. She said it seemed to be 'flying in the face' of some of the objectives listed in West Devon Borough Council's local plan — specifically in relation to the natural environment.
'We were well aware that this protest was too little, too late. We just wanted to make some kind of statement,' said Mrs Gorbutt.
She said the circumstances involving the Carmelite Monastry showed there was a future need to be solictious about further development in the town.
'We need to be a bit more vigilant. I don't feel this protest is a failure. It is part of a learning curve so we ensure we are more aware of things in the future.'
She said the group of protestors — which included Billie Burnett, wife of West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett — was a cross section of political bodies and points of view all united by condemnation of the new development.