SECRETARY of State Michael Gove has turned down a plea to ’call in’ controversial plans to build homes in Tavistock’s Plymouth Road, it emerged today.

Former Tavistock town councillor Graham Parker, supported by dozens of residents, had urged Mr Gove to deliberate on a scheme for 44 homes and an extra care facility on the grounds that West Devon Borough Council had not advertised the application as a departure from the joint local plan, which determines what is built where in the Plymouth and Tavistock area.

A spokesperson for Mr Gove said: "The Government remains committed to giving more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues and believe that planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible. The call-in policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively. The Secretary of State has decided, having had regard to this policy, not to call in this application. He is satisfied that the application should be determined at a local level.’

Mr Parker said he was disappointed with the decision, but added: ’As far as I am concerned, this is not the end of our challenge over this planning application."