WEST Devon planners have approved a scheme for the final part of the Manor housing development in Tavistock after developers reduced the number of homes by 13. George Wimpey was applying for permission to build 29 homes on the site of the former Tavistock Manor on Old Launceston Road — a scheme for 42 homes was refused last October because of over- development concerns and the loss of trees. Planning officer Ed Persse said the new proposal, which now comprised 17 two-bed apartments and 12 four-bed houses, took up less of the woodland area and no trees would need to be felled to make way for housing. Cllr Roy Connolly felt it was still 'over- development' as the original development brief for the Manor site as a whole, on its three parcels of land, was 140 houses and now it was 176. He welcomed one of the conditions of planning permission that the development shall not start until the footpath and roadside works adjacent to Old Launceston Road have been completed. Cllr Mandy Govier said it was with reluctance that she supported this but she thanked the planning officers and Wimpey who had 'gone some way' to honouring the drawings they showed the committee several years ago. 'The woodland has been closed off for many many years so at least it will be brought back into use for the public,' she said. The woodland will be an amenity area which will extend to the community beyond those living on the site. The redevelopment is contained broadly within the footprint of the old Manor building.
