APPROACHING 150 people in Bradworthy have signed a petition in opposition to a proposal by the propertys owners and Westward Housing Group to convert the former Lavis Medical Building into ten units of social housing.

A spokesman explained that the opposition is not to social housing as such but the removal from the village infrastructure of a significant resource for economic regeneration and employment.

Although empty for two years the two buildings concerned have only ever been marketed as single entities not divided into the sort of smaller units that could be so attractive to local businesses. There are other sites in the village that could provide any housing need.

Economic regeneration and employment are the first two objectives of the Bradworthy Parish Plan, they are there because of the importance they have to the economic health of the village. If this plan were approved it would go against the Parish Plan in which not only villagers but the county and district councils must be assumed to be stakeholders. It would conflict with the existing planning status and covenants on the land concerned that preserve it for industrial use. The building is also located among other industrial units bringing significant concerns about the environment and health and safety.

The spokesman added: Much has recently been made of the need for social housing in the South West and how its lack affects communities. What is frequently ignored is the effect of placing such housing into communities without the employment possibilities to support the people who will live there.