I READ with some concern the front page article, 'Supermarket bids rejected' (Times, October 16).

Whilst I can agree to some extent with the comments made by the planning committee and others in the refusal of the Sainsbury's application, we must not forget that the proposed site has already been designated for development. 

What I cannot agree with is the refusal of the Lidl application for the adjacent area, a refusal that was decided by the casting vote of the planning committee Cllr Philip Sanders. Also, I cannot agree with the comments of the recently formed Brook Campaign Group on the refusal as being, 'Fantastic, amazing for the town'.

Yes, there may have been 364 letters of objection to the Sainsbury site but how many of these applied to the Lidl proposal? I have spoken to many that would welcome a Lidl store in Tavistock, those for instance that are the new occupiers of the 56 low rent properties situated on the Tiddy Brook development and the residents of the nearby Bishopsmead. Hundreds of properties when added together. For these residents Lidl would be within walking distance and their 'local' store. The only competition to lose out would be Morrison's as the only other food retail outlet in the area. Surely, Tavistock Chamber of Commerce could not object to that.

Cllr Christine Grills reported on comments made by the chief planning officer ten years ago and would not support either application. I would suggest that if after ten years without success in attracting other forms of development such as manufacturing then it is time to re evaluate the site. Let's not forget that the largest manufacturer in the area, Metaflex, closed and an industrial site was allowed to become a retail site in the form of the new Focus DIY.

Cllr Alison Clish-Green comments on the 'urban sprawl'. The Lidl proposal is on a site that has in the past been used as a garage and a pub and is now an eyesore for those that live opposite and enter Tavistock from the south.

Come on, councillors, open your eyes and ears. Look at the disgraceful entrance into our beloved Tavistock. Listen to those on low incomes and those that could walk to a reasonably priced store and when the planning application comes before you again, as I hope it will, re-think your strategy on the sacrosanct Tavistock town centre, because if you do not allow some expansion, development and employment Tavistock will surely die. 

Cllr David Cloke.

Walkham ward

( Adjoining Tavistock and Whitchurch at Anderton Lane)