PLANS to axe magistrates' courts in the region are causing concern to Calstock Parish Council.
At their recent meeting, members voted to write a letter to the Devon and Cornwall Magistrates' Courts committee expressing their support for maintaining the local facilities.
Councillor Ian Kirk, who is also a magistrate, said: 'They are not going to close Liskeard yet — but I think they will in the future.
'It is all to do with cost cutting. The idea of magistrates being for local justice is in danger of disappearing — as a magistrate we are very concerned about this,' he said.
Mr Kirk said the Liskeard magistrates' court was being kept — 'but we do feel this is likely to be temporary.'
He said the courts committee had to save so much money each year and the only way they could do that was by getting rid of courts and getting rid of court officials.
'At the same time we will lose the local aspect of justice. They have worked it out they can have the same number of sittings by using fewer buildings — but using them more often.
Councillor Tony Knott said the council should voice its objection.
'They are taking away our local justice. Tavistock is going,' he said. 'Big isn't good — this is detrimental to us, we are all of the same mind.'
The council agreed to write expressing its objection to cutting back local court facilities.