WEST Devon Borough Council's Core Strategy proposals have been strongly criticised by Tavistock Town Council in a 20-page response to the recent consultation exercise.

The response says the proposals seem at complete odds with the borough's objectives of greater self-containment, promoting the town centre, reducing car travel and protecting the environment.

The blueprint for Tavistock includes 750 new houses, a replacement hospital, and school and re-opening of the rail link to Bere Alston, all situated to the west of the town, and a link road through the Crowndale Valley.

There has been much controversy in the town over the proposals and last week a parish poll on the subject was called for at a public meeting — residents will be asked to vote on whether they think the strategy is acceptable or not on Thursday, August 13.

Representations made during the consultation period, which ended on July 17, are now being considered by the borough council before they are scrutinised by a planning inspector.

Mayor of Tavistock Mandy Govier said: 'The future development of the town is very important to all members of the community and we have to ensure that if future development has to take place at least it is undertaken in the most sustainable and sensitive manner possible so as to protect our unique environment and heritage.'

Town councillors employed independent planning consultant Stephen Gill to work with them in putting forward a response.

Mr Gill said the strategy was 'highly questionable, if not fundamentally flawed' in proposing a new road straight through the World Heritage Site and Crowndale Valley and skirting the Tamar Valley AONB, while ignoring the necessary linkages and improvements needed for accessibility to the town centre.

As former head of planning and development at the borough council, Mr Gill said he appreciated, probably more than most, the difficulties faced in trying to find suitable sites for the number of houses, which were dictated by the Government.

But he said the main thrust of the response was against the use of the 'urban extension model' — placing all the housing development together in a separate lump dislocated from the rest of the town.

The document also seriously questions how and when the necessary infrastructure will be delivered and how rural settlements can be better supported to ensure their future sustainability.

It suggests alternatives for the distribution of housing and employment uses throughout the town which the council claims are more sustainable.

West Devon Borough Council recently told the Times it had developed the core strategy in conjunction with the community and local organisations over the last four years with proposed housing developments close to services and amenities.

Restrictions on development within national park villages meant that allocating housing outside Tavistock had been more difficult.