ORGANISERS of a vital plan for Tavistock today call on residents to get involved with a ground-breaking survey which could help determine the future of the historical West Devon town.

Tavistock’s Neighbourhood Development Plan steering committee have launched an QR code which links residents to a survey basically asking them what they want built in their community and where.

Residents’ input is crucial to the success of the plan, which could take years to complete. The official launch of the code, which is already active, take place on Monday, but steering group chair Ursula Mann said they had already received responses from the public.

She said community involvement in the survey from all age groups was a vital part in the process of developing the plan, which will go before an inspector for final determination.

If the community plan is given the green light, it will give residents the power - with legal backing - to have a say over what developents are planned in the future of Tavistock.

Cllr Mann, deputy mayor of Tavistock Town Council, made it clear that the embryonic plan would not just cover future housing. It also includes such subjects as community facilities and shopping areas.

She said members of the steering group had been working with younger people from Tavistock Community College over the plan, as it will potentially affect them as young adults.

She said one of the suggestions from youngsters had involved building a bowling hall in Tavistock, while others called for fast food outlets or clothes shops.

Cllr Mann said: ‘The survey is really vital because it’s important people say what they want in Tavistock.

‘If people out there are thinking their idea might be too wild, then I would say it isn’t. At this early stage of the procedure, I wouldn’t rule any suggestion out. What is important is that we hear what people want.’

She said responses to the survey were being monitored by the independent Devon Communities team, who would then release the results to the steering group.

The next stage will involve using the responses on Tavistock’s needs to create a plan influencing the town’s future for years to come.

The QR code will be repeated in next week’s edition of the Tavistock Times to ensure as many residents as possible have the chance to respond. Anyone over the age of 16 can do so.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the plan should do so via https://tavistockplan.info/.