WE attended the meeting in Okehampton on Friday night concerning the core strategy. It was with deep concern that we listened to the heated exchanges and accusations that flew around. We are not interested in who did what or when, that is now past history.
What is worrying is the apparent apathy of the rural communities as to the effect of the present strategy on the smaller villages and settlements. Here in Exbourne both the pre-school and the primary school are struggling to keep numbers up. Our pub is working hard to increase trade, which is sometimes a struggle, and both the church and the chapel have very low numbers. Our village hall holds endless jumble sales in an effort to keep abreast of everyday costs.
As some of your readers may know, we are fighting hard to raise funds to build a shop, post office and community facility. All these organisations need one thing - families with children, particularly local young families, to regenerate the village. We gather that one reason houses are limited in rural areas is the lack of sewage capacity. Then is it not time for West Devon Borough Council to tell South West Water to get their act in gear, and improve water and sewage systems in rural areas?
There are, as everywhere, people who will protest about new houses being built in their area, but if they want to keep villages alive then we desperately need new people. Exbourne has recently welcomed a couple of young families and they are already keenly supporting various functions and events in the village and they have enrolled their children in the village pre- and primary schools. This is exactly what villages urgently need now, only in greater numbers.
What is not needed is urban sprawl; rural communities must be able to absorb some of the inevitable growth and our parish councils ought to be demanding action from West Devon Borough Council.
Councillors and planning officers — give more consideration to the rural communities around Okehampton and Tavistock.
Hugh and Sally Hordern
Exbourne