RESIDENTS and groups who enjoy Roadford Lake have expressed concern at proposals to build timeshare holiday lets beside the reservoir. Almost 100 people attended a meeting last week after outline planning permission was sought by agents acting for South West Water for 25 units and accompanying facilities such as a bar area. The meeting was organised by the Roadford Consultation and Preservation Group, which was set up when the reservoir was built, partly in order to hold the old South West Water Authority to account on its undertaking that all future developments on or near the reservoir would ?be of small scale? and that ?there would be full consultation with the Roadford community?. South West Water agreed to inherit the undertaking at the time of privatisation. Now the preservation group fears the tranquil spot will be vastly affected by increased noise and light pollution, as well as an increase in traffic on the narrow lanes. There are concerns that the outline planning application that has so far been seen is too vague for it to be passed. Yvonne Prout, chairman of Broadwoodwidger Parish Council planning committee, explained the proposal and answered questions at the meeting. ?The problem with an outline planning application is that it contains little information,? she said. Some at the meeting expressed concern that once 25 units had gone up at the lake, it would only be a matter of time before more were built ? and that the increased tourism could lead to demands for noisy and potentially polluting watersports such as jet-skiing to spoil the reservoir. Most of the attendees signed a petition to Torridge District Council, which will decide the application, calling for the proposal?s rejection because it contained little detail. South West Lakes Trust, a charity funded by South West Water, already has a watersports and visitor centre at Roadford, and it is believed the holiday complex would be adjacent to the centre. A spokesman for South West Water said: ?We are aware of the concerns raised by the Roadford Consultation and Preservation Group and the importance of balancing these with the potential economic benefits to the region. ?We will ensure that there is consultation with all interested parties throughout the planning process. ?At the end of the process the planning authority will make a decision based on their assessment of the application.? The Roadford Consultation and Preservation Group now has its own website at http://www.roadford-consultation-group.org.uk">www.roadford-consultation-group.org.uk where the minutes of the above meeting can be seen. Comments from anyone with an interest in the reservoir are invited ? see the website for contact details.
