YOUR edition of July 18 was full of rich irony. The launch of Totally Locally was celebrated on the centre pages as an initiative to 'encourage consumers to think about where they do their shopping and the difference they can make to their local economy'. Elsewhere in the same edition there was plenty of evidence of influential townspeople making such an outcome more improbable.

Gillian Hiles in her letter is surely right when she says 'the character of Tavistock will be damaged for ever' if the proposed development on the Focus site goes ahead. Concern about 'totally locally' shopping is not shared by certain members of the Chamber of Commerce it seems, as this faction seem to want to drive as much traffic as possible towards the Plymouth Road Industrial Estate where their businesses are located and away from the centre of town.

It seems even councillors with 'concerns' about the development will support it. It appears one councillor believes the proposed Tesco is not 'something to be frightened of. It's not selling gifty things, which is what Tavistock town centre specialises in'. I don't think many of the shopkeepers I visit nearly every day would recognise this characterisation of their business. And, of course, it makes the Totally Locally campaign completely meaningless.

Gillian's letter also raises the question of the refusal of Sainsbury's application. At least with Sainsbury a different segment of the market would have been introduced to the town which may well have attracted people there and reduced the number feeling the need to go elsewhere.

This would also have provided employment opportunities and new business in the centre of town.

Developers frequently find reasons why they need not honour 106 agreements after the event, so it is essential these are made as watertight and as beneficial to the local community as possible.

We would hope these benefits would be made public before the planning decision is finalised.

Of course, the front page of this same edition featured a meeting organised by another developer seeking to consult with residents about a 'major extension to the Tiddy Brook estate'.

This seems to simply by-pass the West Devon planning authority which had not been informed of the 'consultation'.

All in all, not an auspicious set of circumstances for the early days of the Totally Locally initiative, yet all the more reason for us all to hope it prospers.

Mike and Kate Sainsbury (no relation)

Tavistock