WHY is it that WDBC insist on continuing to try to push water uphill? The meeting about the Core Strategy in Okehampton last week, together with the ensuing letters and articles, demonstrated quite clearly that the thinking underlying the Core Strategy, and the resulting policy, is considered flawed by a large and vociferous body of those who live here and who will feel its effects.
Both the chief executive David Incoll and the head of strategic planning Marion Playle insisted their chosen policy of building lots of houses all in one place, is a reflection of two principle elements: that there is an established need for small housing units to attract and hold young people, and that the only way of providing these in conjunction with other grades of market housing, is to build them all in the same place where 'full infrastructure' will be provided.
Yet in the same breath they admitted the market demand is not for the smaller size house at all, but for larger ones; that the demographic studies show West Devon to be predominantly sought after — and inhabited — by older generations; that there are little meaningful employment opportunities in the region, and anyway most of the population is aging and therefore not seeking employment.
As there is little meaningful work in this part of the West Country, does it not make sense to recognise that go-ahead young leave, go to university, make their money elsewhere and then quite possibly return when they can afford it. Recognising this would allow all that is best of the character of the County to be preserved, rather than chasing after command economy theoretical social planning, which can only produce the urban sprawl that is threatening to alter the nature of Devon so inappropriately.
A policy allowing developments to take place by dispersal avoids all the negative visual and social challenges of urban sprawl, and it more positively allows for varied development, more likely to be a reflection of true demand.
As for infrastructure provision, as the letter in last week's Times from the couple in Exbourne so aptly pointed out, better water and sewage provision is surely up to Devon County Council to push for.
And funding for a new hospital and primary schooling will still be dependent upon the state of the economy anyway.
It is to be hoped that the Government Inspector will reject the Council's proposals. Perhaps new heads will by then be in place to work out a better plan, involving Community Housing Trusts and similar social need alternatives.
Instead of hoping that Poundbury-like design of the Prince's influence will sooth the opposition to their plan, perhaps the Council should think about the Prince's Countryside Fund, and Business in the Community, and similar initatives that aim to encourage economic activity.
Jeremy Davies, Tavistock.
DURING all the shenanigans over the substitution issue Cllr Mandy Govier (Cons) has constantly stated she would have abstained from voting on the Core Strategy because she was the mayor of Tavistock.
However, it is very interesting that the mayor of West Devon, at that time, (Lib Dem Cllr Alison Clish-Green) voted against the plan – does this mean the Conservative group have a different policy on how a Conservative mayor should vote?
An explanation would be much appreciated.
Maureen Bryant
Stockley
Okehampton