IT is true that we should not be discouraging the Lidl supermarket or any other retail business from setting up shop in this town. However, it is also true that the plot of land, the old primary school field, on which Lidl currently have an application to build, is totally unsuitable for this commercial purpose and is not the best use of this very valuable site.

This land is the last unbuilt-on plot in the centre of Okehampton and is at the confluence of our Ockment rivers which are an under-valued and unique asset to this town.

If we were to be planning this town from scratch, this plot would be seen to be a special place at the confluence of the rivers and would be designed as the centrepiece of the town. Unfortunately, throughout history, past and present, we have neglected public access to the rivers including this most important site by having no vision for it and not maintaining it.

This town is now suffering economically from not having a place for touring coaches to park and set down visitors.

Imagine the tremendous economic benefit of having tourists arriving at a most beautiful park and river walk site in the centre of town, having them explore our town, buy their pleasures and leave with the feeling of a great experience and wanting to return.

The lack of planning foresight in the past allowed Devon County Council to sell this school lands site to a developer when, clearly, with a little creative vision this land could have been reserved to be kept in public ownership as part of a far-seeing town plan.

Can this error be redressed? Yes it can, if the vision for the best outcome for this town is shared, and common-sence negotiation takes place.

We are currently on the verge of making a huge planning error if the Lidl planning application was to be passed. Whatever we allow this land to be used for, it must be for the benefit of the town and community. What this town desperately needs is to attract more tourists. A warehouse-type, box-store on our prime town centre park and river walk site does not fit this bill.

I urge your readers to take a look at this special plot of land, imagine it properly landscaped and maintained then visit West Devon Borough Council offices to view the proposed Lidl building plans. They will be dismayed, as many of us are, that some people are prepared to further spoil the natural assets of our town.

People of Okehampton, now is the time to stand up and be counted, unless you want a town centre crammed with more traffic congestion and no tourists to support our retail business.

I urge readers to oppose this Lidl planning application on this site by writing to the principal planning officer, West Devon Council, Oaklands Drive, Okehampton

Stella Hudson

Church Parks

Belstone