COUNTRYSIDE campaigners held a ’packed’ meeting last week to learn about the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and its likely consequences for development in the South Hams.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Devon branch hosted the seminar at the Watermark Centre, Ivybridge on Friday.

160 people from all over Devon attended and the event was hailed a ’huge success’ by CPRE organisers. The meeting was chaired by CPRE Devon vice-president Robin Hogg, with guest speakers South West Devon MP Gary Streeter and Tom Jones, lead planning officer on the joint local plan from South Hams Council.

Penny Mills from CPRE Devon said the organisation was very pleased to be able to hold the event on such an important subject. She added many probing questions were asked concerning affordability for local people, housing numbers and location of development, with many people expressing dismay at the loss of more of Devon’s green fields to housing development.

Afterwards, Mr Streeter said: ’The packed CPRE meeting was an opportunity to discuss the local plan, which will shape the future development of our area from now until 2034. It is a joint plan between Plymouth South Hams and West Devon.

’I set out the need for new housing for our children and grandchildren - the average age of a first time buyer is now 38 - and government policy, but stressed that development must only take place in the right area with the right infrastructure in place.

’It was a lively question and answer session but most people seemed to think the whole exercise was informative and worthwhile.’