CLAIMS that a public consultation in the run-up to Christmas regarding eight possible housing development sites in Tavistock has gone 'under the radar' have been refuted by West Devon Borough Council.

The council was criticised for conducting its informal consultation to gauge initial views during December, when people were distracted and busy with events.

But the leader of the authority this week said it had almost 'bombarded' residents with information over the proposals including details in the council's 'Connect' magazine, which went to every household in the borough.

A formal consultation about the eight sites will take place in February/March time of next year with plenty of publicity in the local press, the borough council has confirmed.

The proposals form part of 'Our Plan' which will dictate future development up to 2031 in the borough. The options being considered as potential sites in Tavistock are at New Launceston Road (100-200 homes), Mount Kelly (10-15 homes), Green Lane (30-50 homes), St Andrew's Road (15-20 homes), Anderton Lane (75 homes), Brook Farm (20 homes), Callington Road South (115 homes) and the Cattle Market (25 homes).

Resident Marysu Godfrey said after January 5 — which was when the informal consultation ended — the results would be made into a draft document, discussed and agreed by the Community Services Committee.

'Yes, there will be a formal public consultation but the impression is that once it has been agreed by the committee on January 20 it is unlikely that much can or will be changed,' she said.

'Whilst the strategic planning staff have obviously been working hard to orders and are helpful and blameless, it is extremely annoying and upsetting that the council decision makers and the councillors, who have been elected by local residents, have not advertised the public consultation more widely, ie no articles in the local press or fliers and have given the public only December/January to respond when it is the busiest time of the year.'

A spokesperson for the borough council said: 'We are currently holding one of several informal consultations on West Devon's Our Plan, talking to communities, interested groups, organisations and residents.

'This is, however, informal and is in preparation for the formal consultation on the plans which begins in February. In late January we will be publicising this formal consultation very widely with events, press releases and through social media.

'We regularly communicate with almost 500 residents in the borough who have asked to be kept in touch with the Our Plan process.

'Everyone is welcome to join the group and you can forward your information by emailing: [email protected]">[email protected] to receive updates.'

Tavistock borough councillor Debo Sellis said there was a move towards more information being available on the internet but this did not suit everyone: 'There is an indication that the borough council will be going paper-free and certainly in the future, there will be far more done with technology as far as council business is concerned.

'However, I do empathise that not all residents want to do things this way and they must make their feelings known to the council.'

Leader of the council Cllr Philip Sanders said a lot of work had been done to consult with the parish and town councils, workshops had been held and there was information in the 'Connect' magazine as well as online about the development options for Tavistock.

'This magazine goes to every household in the borough so the information is there if people want to read it,' he said.

'I would say we have almost bombarded the place and there will be massive consultation when it comes to the formal process where local views will be taken into account.'

Cllr Sanders said there was no statutory requirement to hold an informal consultation — this was an extra that the council had decided to do.

He added: 'I don't know what will happen at the next election but as leader of the council I have always made it clear that under the council's "Transformation 18" programme, it is essential that we do not disenfranchise those people who cannot or do not wish to communicate with us electronically.

'The vast majority of the electorate wish to use electronic means but there will still be other more traditional ways to communicate with the council.'

To respond to the consultation go to http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/ourplan">www.westdevon.gov.uk/ourplan or call 01822 813600.