I VOTED in the poll regarding the core strategy and West Devon Council's proposed plan to allow 700 houses to be built in order to re-open the rail link to Bere Alston.
Whilst I welcomed the poll, I was quite shocked to find that there was no provision for those people who, for health or other reasons, were not able to get to the polling station.
There was no postal or proxy voting and this must obviously have disenfranchised a considerable percentage of Tavistock residents. Can the result therefore be seen as a true picture of what residents wish to happen to their town?
Likewise, although some of us have been invited by West Devon Borough Council by personal letter to vote on the website for or against the Core Strategy, not everyone has had a letter and not everyone has a computer or knows how to do this.
Surely the only way to get a complete and true representation is to have a referendum about the whole question along the lines of a local election?
Kate Camara
Dolvin Road
Tavistock
I'D imagine that most Tavistock residents accept the need for more housing here, particularly affordable housing. Most residents would also agree that it could be dispersed around the town. There are suitable sites and landowners who want them to be developed.
Few residents are against the idea of a new primary school or hospital or indeed the re-opening of the railway line. What they are objecting to is the placement of 500 of these houses and a substantial road across what is a beautiful valley.
There are congestion issues in Tavistock, but those will not be relieved by linking the Plymouth and Callington roads.
A bypass of the town centre (North/South) from Pixon Lane through the car park, Abbey Rise and along the disused railway embankment (as was proposed several years ago) would relieve the congestion in the centre and should be re-considered.
I still maintain that West Devon Borough Council's plan for the valley is simply unnecessary vandalism. It doesn't appear to enjoy much support or approval from anyone. Resisting this ill conceived scheme isn't Nimbyism, it's just common sense.
Guy Sergeant
70 Whitchurch Road
Tavistock