CONCERNS on traffic and a wish to see the construction of a southern ‘loop road’ in Launceston were among topics discussed at an exhibition of proposals for up to 200 new homes on the edge of the town.

The Post reported in June that the town council was approached by a planning consultant for Bovis Homes, who said the home builder had secured an interest in the site directly next to the consented Wainhomes and Taylor Wimpey housing estates, that are due to be built south of the A388, Tavistock Road, roughly opposite Stourscombe.

The town council heard then that proposals would be shared and discussed with members of the public, and exhibition boards outlining the proposals were on show in the Guildhall at the Town Hall last Wednesday (August 3).

A steady flow of people went along between 2pm and 7pm to find out more about the plans.

Bovis Homes is preparing an outline application for up to 200 new homes, including affordable housing provision, and areas of open space and landscaping.

Exhibition boards explained the main access would be via the A388, Tavistock Road — which will also serve as the access point for the other new adjacent housing estates once built. However, it was stated that there is a ‘potential for road links through to the adjacent consented scheme’.

A member of the public, who said he lives at Old Stourscombe, said: “It’s not the housing I’m worried about, it’s the road. It’s dangerous enough as it is, we are waiting for people to get killed on the corner of the Lawhitton-Tavistock exit.”

It was suggested the 30mph speed limit could be extended along the A388, but Hilary Vaughan of Bovis Homes said such a decision would be down to Highways to implement. She said Bovis Homes is looking at the access and treatment of the road.

The proposals also showed Bovis Homes would make provision for a southern ‘loop road’, if necessary. The southern loop road would link the A388, Tavistock Road to the Link Road, but it is understood the road would not be finished before 2030, but it would be constructed in stages as land is developed in the future.

One member of the public at the exhibition said: “I think they shouldn’t start building the housing before they get agreement to do the [southern loop] road.”

Stourscombe resident Les Whaley added: “The southern loop road should be built first — it’s a must.”

Concerns were also raised about how the town could cope with new housing. Jennie Bailey said: “I am concerned about the extra traffic that will come from a further 200 homes because most homes have at least one car and probably two per household. Access to this development would be along the busy main road to Plymouth, where there is no speed restriction at present.

“Schooling is also a problem, they aren’t coping at the moment and without the extra class rooms I cannot see how this can be resolved.

“The medical centre is already well over subscribed. The hospital is straining at the seams, due to the patients not always being able to be discharged as there a shortage of carers to help in the home.

“Where are these people going to work, and also where are they coming from.”

Another member of the public said: “I strongly disapprove of it. We have got too many houses on that stretch of road. There are quite often accidents.”

Julia Hague, who lives in Launceston, said: “I think having more houses within reason is good for supporting the town, but I do think they have to look at the infrastructure.”

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South, Jade Farrington, also viewed the public exhibition.

She said: “It was great to see so many people taking the chance to engage and put forward their views so that Bovis Homes can incorporate them when they submit a planning application. I was pleased to hear that they are listening to local people’s requests that road and pedestrian links are provided to the neighbouring estate and there will be affordable housing, a play park, outdoor gyms and walking routes along the valley. They have also undertaken to allow a southern loop road to come through the bottom of the site if this point is chosen to connect it to the A388.

“The NHS is responsible for commissioning sufficient local services to meet demand, so I and fellow councillors are continuing to lobby them to allow Launceston Medical Centre to expand. I would urge people to come along to the September Launceston Community Network Meeting to show support for more GP services in the town.”

Victoria Trotman, of Bovis Homes, said through the exhibition they were ‘wanting to find out what’s important to local people’, and, as well as hearing public green space is valuable to people, added, “We are aware that housing to meet the needs of the community is very much needed.”

No planning application has yet been submitted by Bovis Homes. Once they have received and had chance to consider feedback from the public, the home builder hopes a planning application can be submitted to Cornwall Council by the end of this year. If this was successful, a reserved matters application would follow.

If given the go ahead to build houses on the site, people attending the exhibition heard the overall construction period is expected to take around 30 months.

Also among questions raised by members of the public was whether there would be enough school places locally for children living on the proposed estate.

Launceston Town Council has recently heard a primary school, which is planned to be built at Hurdon, and known locally as ‘Hay Common School’ will have four classrooms to start with, instead of seven, after councillors said they had been told Cornwall Council would not be able to fund an additional three classrooms, and that when the classrooms were needed, they would be funded by the Government.

One member of the public said: “We must have a seven-class school. All of them [housing developers] have got to chip in with the school.”

In response to concerns about infrastructure, and what contributions Bovis Homes could make through delivering its proposals, Ms Trotman said: “We will be required to provide financial contributions for areas such as education, health and transport in line with the impact generated by the population of the new homes”, but said any contributions must be lawful or else could not be accepted by Cornwall Council. She said they would be discussing what kinds of contributions would be required with Cornwall Council officers.

People who wish to make comments to Bovis Homes about the proposals can email [email protected] or complete a feedback form at www.bovishomes.co.uk/tavistockroad

More details on the proposals are available at this website. Comments are to be received no later than August 19.