I REFER to the letter from Peter Frost of Kilbride (November 27) and I was heartened to know what huge benefits could, not will, accrue to Tavistock if 750 new homes are built simply to fund a rail link built by Kilbride; a rail link which will likely be an underused white elephant.
Be clear — the only reason thus far given to us by anybody for the 500 extra homes, on top of the previous 250 allocated, is to fund the proposed rail link to be built by Kilbride.
I also wonder why Kilbride have suggested, in their consultation response letter to West Devon Borough Council, that even more houses should be built in Tavistock in addition to, yes, in addition to, the 750 required by Kilbride to fund the rail link — is it that these extra houses need to be built by Kilbride in order to give even more 'benefits' to our town?
Be clear also that the huge amount of infrastructure proposed for Tavistock is only offered because of these 750 new homes. Yes, it would be nice to have a new hospital, and a new school, and new playing fields, but why some new 'local' shops and a new link road to serve unjustifiable extra homes, and all this new infrastructure would primarily be needed because of the 750 new homes, or more — which Kilbride would build.
Try getting any positive information from Kilbride to back up their claims of viability for these projects — to date, November 28 — they have said they do have this information but they refuse to release it until 2009.
The Government are proposing that in 2009 a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will be imposable to enable local authorities to charge developers a levy to support the infrastructure arising from developments — doubtless Kilbride are really anxious to offer copious amounts of new money in CIL in addition to that offered for a new rail link.
Yes, you are entitled to laugh — but do not be fooled.
Alex Mettler
Courtenay Road
Tavistock