A GROUP campaigning against the Sainsbury's development in Tavistock is urging people who oppose the out-of-town supermarket proposal to get their letters into the planning department urgently. Today (Thursday) is the deadline for representations and so far there have been 162 objections and six letters of support for the scheme received by West Devon Borough Council. The Brook Campaign Group, headed by Tavistock Chamber of Commerce chairman Nigel Eadie, believes the proposed development would have 'huge and catastrophic implications for the life of the town'. The plan is being opposed because it is contrary to the local development plan which designates the 3.8-hectare Brook site as employment land — for uses other than retail — which the group says could not be replaced anywhere else in Tavistock. It is also feared that the vitality and viability of the town would be adversely affected. Mr Eadie said if the supermarket went ahead it would put at risk all the good work that has been done over a number of years to make both the town, and the town centre, the special place it is today. 'It is our view that it is quite simply the wrong development in the wrong place,' he said. 'It is the wrong development because it incorporates a massive amount of retail floorspace, contrary to the objectives of both national and local planning policy. 'It is the wrong development because major new retail development should be located in, or much closer to the town centre — not two kilometres from it, nor on land allocated for employment purposes.' Mr Eadie urged people to write a letter of objection if they cared about 'the importance of safeguarding the uniqueness of our historic and award-winning market town'. The Sainsbury's application includes an office block, for possible use by the police, and 17 business units. The mixed use site would also include a petrol station and a 349-space car park. The supermarket's initial application was withdrawn after planning officers were concerned about the amount of retail use on land designated for other employment uses. The company submitted revised plans with an office block which the police are keen to acquire as a new police station for the town. In a recent article in the Times, Jamie Baker, Sainsbury's regional development executive, said: 'Sainsbury's is committed to coming to Tavistock. 'The resubmitted plans follow a successful public consultation which met with 62 per cent approval by local residents and includes amendments following discussions with West Devon Borough Council.' Letters should be addressed to the planning department, West Devon Borough Council, Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock, PL19 OBZ.
