AS someone who proposed an alternative strategy in response to the last consultation it's disappointing not to receive a single response from any councillor or official.  

My alternative strategy identified 81ha of potential development land, proposed an improved transport system for Tavistock and opened up development opportunities beyond 2026.

It's not the number of houses but the stark choice that was presented in the sustainability report, a village size development on the edge of town to pay for the railwayline or rampant infilling on every corner and green site in the town. Common-sense dictates that Tavistock needs to grow outward in a number of directions to preserve the town centre at the centre of the town! Not extend for further kilometres down the Tavy Valley.

Reinstating the railway will consume all the planning gain from this development. The school, hospital and other social gains will have to be provided by the public purse, a purse that is bankrupt. This is not a strategy but a fait accompli to reinstate the railway. There are many alternatives but those charged with producing the reports from which decisons will be made have already decided. Shame.

Nick Holt-Martyn

Brook Lane

Tavistock

YOUR correspondents have asked (Letters, May 7 and 14) why borough councillors voted as they did on the draft core strategy.

I fully agree it would be reckless not to have one. We do need more houses, schools, jobs and increased health care provision across the borough. We do need a clear plan how they should all be provided year on year.

But I voted against the core strategy for the following reasons:

There is a complete development plan in existence and valid until 2011. Even then all existing local authority planning safeguards remain. There is no rush. We have plenty of time to work out better options than so far offered us.

I do not like the proposal for concentrating new housing in Tavistock and Okehampton.

Tavistock does not have enough local employment to cater for all the proposed new residents.

I do not accept the argument that 'if we have new houses, jobs will follow.'.

I feel strongly that the inevitable increased traffic in Tavistock and congestion on the A386 will cause further problems. I do not think these problems will be solved by the proposed new road over Crowndale, a new bus service, or even a new train to the far end of Plymouth.

Many rural areas want to develop but are not considered in this strategy. We must consider smaller rural developments throughout our district.

In casting my vote against the present draft of the core strategy, I believe I reflect the views of residents of Tavistock and the Walkham ward.

Cllr Debo Sellis

West Devon

Borough Council