DEVON South West MP Gary Streeter this week backed elderly residents of Briar Tor in Yelverton, who are fighting plans for a 16 unit residential scheme on land adjacent to their homes.

More than 40 members of the Briar Tor Residents' Association met with Mr Streeter last Thursday to discuss their objections to the proposed development by Karl Howell and Brook Street Properties of Plymstock.

The developer has applied to Dartmoor National Park Authority to build affordable housing for local needs and residential dwelling units comprising two one bedroomed flats, nine two bedroomed houses and five three bed houses.

Forty five Briar Tor residents, some of whom are in their 80s and 90s, many of them frail, have signed a petition against the proposed access to the development.

They are concerned the route would encourage footpaths to be used as a throughfare, increasing nuisance and worry about a 'constant flow' of heavy lorries while development takes place.

Muriel Clay-Thomas, secretary of the Briar Tor Residents' Association, said: 'We believe that insufficient thought or action has been taken to look for alternative access. No one has been able to convince the residents that the developers have sought other routes but are taking the easy and cheapest way out by using our existing entrance.'

She said further houses could be built on the site and there could be 100 plus cars using Briar Tor as an entrance — 'a nightmare not only for our residents but also new householders and cause safety problems on the main Princetown road'.

'We would like to remind the developers we are old people with medical problems who came here on the recommendation of our doctors. We ask them, therefore, please allow us to end our final years in a peaceful environment.'

Resident Donald Jenkins told Mr Streeter: 'Each new home will have a car and they have friends who have cars, it will double the number of vehicles using the access road.

'We have no objections to the development but we have to find a new access.'

Another Briar Tor resident, Mary Brown, was concerned people would be take short cuts through the sheltered housing.

She said: 'I am concerned about more cars on the access road but I am also worried about the children and teenagers walking through. I will no longer feel secure.'

Peter Josey, chairman of the Tavistock branch of the Senior Council in Devon, said he had contacted Health and Safety officials and said it could be case of 'an infringement of human rights' if there was violation of access through the sheltered housing.

Marian Greenaway of West Devon Homes, which manages Briar Tor, told Mr Streeter that easy access for fire, police and ambulances was vital for the health and safety of the Briar Tor residents.

Sally Challiss of Buckland Monarchorum Parish Council said members had objected to the DNPA on the grounds of access, the loss of amenity and the danger to residents.

Mr Streeter told residents: 'I will be contacting Dartmoor National Park Authority and also Tor Homes Association and ask them to show some sensitivity in this issue.'

The application for the development and access is due to go before Dartmoor National Park Authority's planning committee tomorrow (Friday).

Planning officers recommend granting the application.