Tavistock residents mobilise as major housing plans spark fresh concerns
Campaigners in Tavistock are stepping up opposition to a large proposed housing development, warning of mounting pressure on roads, infrastructure and green spaces as more applications emerge across the town
The battle lines have been drawn over plans to build 143 homes on green fields off Tavistock’s Violet Lane.
An outline proposal has been submitted to West Devon Borough Council which includes affordable homes, public open space and new access arrangements.
Opponents have raised concerns over the loss of green space and wildlife, increased traffic and a lack of infrastructure.
They are also calling for an urgent traffic survey before any further developments are granted planning permission, fearing the market town’s roads will be unable to cope.
Like other local authorities, West Devon Borough Council is under pressure to approve more sites for housing to meet new government targets.
However, those opposed to the Violet Lane plans are enlisting the support of Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox, along with district, town and borough councillors.
Dianne Giles, one of the residents leading the campaign, said the countryside charity CPRE was supporting their efforts and that they were seeking assistance from UNESCO over concerns about how cumulative housing development could affect Tavistock’s World Heritage status.
With other housing proposals also coming forward, the number of homes in the town could increase by more than 1,000, with traffic feeding onto routes converging on the town centre, Plymouth Road and Callington Road, which already experience congestion at peak times.
Mrs Giles said: “I totally accept that new housing is needed that is affordable for youngsters, but I’m not sure that any needs assessment has been done for Tavistock.
“Perhaps the council should be looking to invest in social housing and build on some of the brownfield sites around town or repurpose buildings that are run down and disused.”
She added: “Tavistock is not a city and I don’t think residents want to see it become one. Extreme, I know, but it feels like the character of the town is going to change with all these developments. Urban creep will destroy peaceful lanes and fields like this one.
“There’s concern for traffic and highways not just from this estate but from all the cumulative applications submitted, the town doesn’t have the scope for a ring road because we’re bounded by the National Park and the Tamar Valley. Surely a town-wide traffic survey should be conducted to assess the impact on the current infrastructure.”
Borough councillor Adam Bridgewater (Ind, Tavistock South East) agreed.
“This development needs to be taken into context with everything else that is happening in the town,” he said.
“You cannot just assess it on its own merits, there is a wider picture here and we will be putting pressure on to get a traffic management survey done.”
Tavistock LVA is making the application for the three agricultural fields, which are bisected by Violet Lane.
The company carried out a public consultation at the end of last year, during which residents raised concerns.
Planning documents submitted by the applicant’s agents state that the 7.6-hectare site is in a sustainable location, with schools, shops, a café, a pub and a bus stop all within one kilometre.
The development would include 43 affordable homes, with a tenure mix designed to meet the preferences of West Devon Borough Council’s affordable housing team.
Plans also include large areas of public open space and habitat creation, particularly on the northern parcel of land, which would remain free from development.
Documents state this would help minimise impacts on long-distance views, Dartmoor National Park and listed buildings to the north.
To improve safety at the two existing junctions, new access points are proposed from Mount Tavy Road and Green Lane, with enhanced visibility.
These would provide the main vehicular routes into the development.
The southern section of Violet Lane would remain open to vehicles to serve existing properties.
Documents supporting the application state that the Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Local Plan area currently has less than two and a half years’ housing land supply, well below the five years required.