WITH reference to the article on the back page of last week's Times about the approved design for the new Tavistock Lidl store: I think many people will be surprised when they see the real thing in a few months' time. (The designs can be seen on the West Devon Borough Council website - search for planning application number 12917/2009/TAV.)

The previous buildings on this site were set well back, with some hedging along the front boundary, but the large new block will be built right up to the pavement. In my view pedestrians will be subjected to a noisy, dusty wind-tunnel effect between the store wall and the heavy traffic, and the road noise will be reflected across to the houses opposite. The 'soft landscaping' — just two 7.5m trees — will not offset the bleak effect of all the walls and metal railings surrounding the car park and shop entrance.

In recent years the approach to the town along Plymouth Road has been greatly enhanced by all the lovely trees planted to screen the large buildings, but the new Lidl will literally stick out like a sore thumb, with its bulky presence and 'contemporary' 'wavesque' roof dominating the view along the road.

Are you bothered by this prospect?  If so, tough luck — it's too late. The decision has been made. There were only two letters of objection to the planning application, apparently not enough to persuade the planning committee to vote against the planning officer's recommendation.

It's up to every one of us to take a proper interest in what is being done on our behalf by the authorities, and to express our views to the right people at the right time. Please remind yourself of that every time you pass Lidl in future.

Mrs Alison Wright

Whitchurch Road

Whitchurch