AN 11-year-old schoolboy has answered the call for younger people to get behind a project to influence Tavistock’s future.

Tavistock Community College student Joseph Mulley was the youngest member of the audience by far at the first public meeting held by a group steering the town towards a neighbourhood development plan, which helps determine what gets built and where.

Joseph, who was at the meeting with his parents said: ‘I just want to help to form the future of the town and make it a better place for the population. It started when there was going to be a Premier Inn in the town some time ago and I didn’t think that it was a good idea. I would like to stay in Tavistock when I get older and if the (neighbourhood) plan goes through, then I will be able to do that.’

Steering group members made a plea to a crowd of around 50 people who answered a call to offer their services for younger residents to come forward. They are currently talking to Tavistock Community College about getting their students involved in the project.

Steering group member, town councillor James Ellis, urged people in the meeting to go home, ‘put their stern mum and dad hats on’ and persuade their children and grandchildren to get involved in the process of creating the plan, which is expected to take up to five years.

Cllr Ellis said: I grew up in this town, went to Tavistock Primary School and the college. There is only one place I truly love and I want my children to raise their families here. When you go home tonight, I want you to get your stern mum and dad hats on and tell your children and your grandchildren that this plan affects them and get them involved. Young people are very good at moaning on social media, but they need to put their money where their mouths are and get involved.’

Neighbourhood plans are government-backed schemes which have the benefit of the force of law where planning applications are concerned. According to the Government: ‘Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

‘Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to plan for the types of development to meet their community’s needs and where the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area.’

However, plans must be community driven with as many residents as possible taking part in drawing up the process. Failure to do that means a plan will not get past an independent inspector when it is submitted for approval.

Steering group chair and deputy mayor Ursula Mann said she had spoken to someone in their 30s who told her he believed Tavistock was a ‘retirement home for foodies’.

She added it was important for the younger generation to have their say over what happens to the town in the future.