TOWN councillors have criticised a retail study looking at Okehampton and the future of its shopping and leisure provision.

The criticism comes ahead of a meeting with a West Devon Borough Council representative to look at the consultation paper for the study further — town councillors feel the study focusses too much on comparisons between Okehampton and Tavistock.

Borough planning officer Rebecca Black was scheduled to meet councillors at the town planning committee meeting on Monday, to discuss the consultation paper 'Shaping our Towns of Tomorrow'. But she was forced to reschedule for November due to other commitments.

Committee members discussed the retail study, which covers all of West Devon and the borough's immediate outlying area.

It looks at how people across the borough use shopping and leisure facilities in Okehampton and Tavistock, and at potential challenges and opportunities the towns will face in coming years. It also highlights what are considered to be the main shopping areas within the two towns.

Cllr Paul Vachon said: 'The document includes both Okehampton and Tavistock. I thought the whole idea of studies like this was not to compare the towns and keep them separate. Okehampton needs to be judged on its own.'

Cllr Kay Bickley said: 'I think it is an intentional idea to make the comparison in this report. I think that businesses in Okehampton don't seem to make a move without looking at what is going on in Tavistock first.

'I feel like Okehampton is unable to stand on its own two feet, which is a real shame. We have our own unique features, and things that make this town great for its own reasons.

'Of course there are common issues too, and it is human nature to compare yourself to your nearest neighbour. But it is a shame.'

Cllr Michael Ireland said: 'Looking through the document, there is a quote that states "Okehampton could benefit from a similar venue to the Wharf in Tavistock". That is a direct comparison, and it is a shame that those direct comparisons are always being made.

'In the section about how the information for the study has been collected, it talks about 1,001 telephone interviews and 200 street interviews.

'There is no explanation of the methodology behind this collection, and that is something I feel we could use.'

The study has looked at how well the shops and facilities in Okehampton are serving the people who live, work and visit the town.

'The overall aim is for the borough council to get a better understanding of how and where people shop, whether there are any "gaps" in existing shops or leisure facilities, and to ascertain what new shops and facilities will be needed in the borough up to 2031.

The information gathered is designed to assist the council in preparing new plans for the borough and help to make effective decisions about planning applications for new shopping and leisure use.

Members of the public are still able to read the study and share their thoughts, ideas and comments on retail and leisure opportunities in the town by filling out a questionnaire.

It gives residents the chance to respond to a number of questions regarding their desires for the town, how to encourage tourists, and the most important things to them in terms of shopping and leisure.

The full report and appendices are available to download free of charge from http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/strategicplanning">www.westdevon.gov.uk/strategicplanning

Paper copies can be viewed at the West Devon Borough Council office on St James Street. The borough council is also holding drop-in surgeries at the office on Wednesday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 14 to discuss the study.