STRONG feelings about the future of housing development in North Tawton have been revealed in a survey carried out by the town council.

The questionnaire on housing needs was distributed to residents in response to the Local Plan currently being drawn up by West Devon Borough Council, which proposes an increase of some 100 dwellings in the town by the year 2011.

Alison Baker, clerk to the council, said the 'overwhelming results' of the survey revealed opposition to building development outside the town, and a desire to see sympathetic housing which would blend in with existing properties.

And 89 per cent of residents wanted any housing association properties to be reserved exclusively for West Devon people.

Chairman of North Tawton Town Council John Kinsey said the survey results would be useful for the town's newly formed design statement committee, which would be involved in discussions with the borough about development in North Tawton.

He said: 'I think the results of the survey show there is a diverse need for housing in North Tawton.

'Most people wanted to see the town grow organically in a smaller type of development, rather than one large one, and that's really the view of the council.'

He said people had been very positive in their responses.

'There's a feeling in the town that we wanted to control our own housing density.

'What we want to do is work with the borough and with the local plan to get for North Tawton what the people want, to control and have some say in how the town grows — we want to be part of that process.'

Chris Dunford, principal planning officer at the borough, said the questionnaire results would not have an impact on the local plan yet, but he expected it would form part of the town council's response when the plan went 'on deposit' in September.

'If the town council object to the proposals then we are duty-bound to talk to them — in fact the government is very keen for local authorities to talk to objectors, as the basic aim is to keep any public inquiry as short as possible,' said Mr Dunford.

There would be a net gain of approximately 100 houses for North Tawton if the local plan is adopted, he said.

'The Government says how many houses we have to make provision for in West Devon — obviously it does mean making some difficult decisions as to where they should go. It's a very sensitive issue.

'We are stuck with these numbers — what we have tried to do is come up with the best solution.

'We would share the general concerns of the town council that the new housing should be in sympathy with the rest of the town as far as possible.'

There will be a six-week consultation period after the local plan goes on deposit, during which officers will be visiting most areas with an exhibition.

After this, any objections which cannot be resolved will be heard by an inspector at a public inquiry.

'It's only a draft,' stressed Mr Dunford. 'It's not necessarily the final version by any means — there are several hoops to jump through yet.'

Cllr Nick Morgan is North Tawton's representative on the borough council — he also chairs the committee which is responsible for the new Local Plan.

Cllr Morgan said he could not comment on the result of the questionnaire as he had not seen it.

'I think people had better wait until the draft plan comes out — then they should start commenting,'he said.