PHASE one of Salcombe's Neighbourhood Development Plan has been completed, with phase two ­starting now.

Completion of phase one was marked with a newsletter being hand-delivered to all of the households in Salcombe as well as being available from Salcombe Information Office and the Salcombe Plan website.

The newsletter reflects on responses to the initial survey conducted earlier in the year, with the full results also being available on the website.

Of the 570 responses, 48 per cent were from people who lived in Salcombe, with 38 per cent from people who owned a second home or holiday let in the town. The remaining 14 per cent were from those who work, own a business or visit Salcombe regularly.

Most, 38 per cent, were answered by people aged between 56 and 70, with 19 per cent coming from those aged over 71 and only two per cent from those aged 25 or younger.

One of the main questions in the ­survey was whether people thought provisions were more than adequate, adequate or less than adequate, with a chance to put 'don't know'.

Of the provisions included in the ­survey, most – 36 per cent – thought the provisions for housing were less than adequate, as did most for employment space at 46 per cent, job opportunities at 51 per cent and transport and parking at 62 per cent. Provisions that most respondents thought were adequate were leisure and community facilities at 57 per cent and shopping at 52 per cent.

The full report and breakdown of the answers, responses and figures can be found on the Salcombe Plan website. Also on the site are comments made by attendees of April's open meeting.

The newsletter then introduces phase two of Salcombe's Neighbourhood Development Plan process, which starts now, with four working groups being set up to look specifically at ­economy, housing, infrastructure and town environment.

Steering group member Andy Barsby said: 'People with an interest in Salcombe have the opportunity to set out where any new development might go, what kind of development it could be and what social and leisure facilities would make Salcombe a better place to live or work in and visit.

'Each working group will comprise at most 12 volunteers, at least half of whom live and/or work in Salcombe. Ideally, each of the four working groups needs true cross-community representation with regard to gender, age, in or not in employment, local business representation etc.'

Fellow steering group member Anne Rainbow explained: 'Initially, each working group will be given the survey results relevant for their particular ­topics so they can investigate the issues raised. While formulating ideas, the four working groups will consult as widely as possible through, for ­example, focus groups so that possible solutions can be brainstormed.

'Once proposals have been drafted, more discussion groups may be arranged for "road-testing" purposes, to reassess priorities, costs and ­feasibility when taken in concert with the findings and conclusions of the other working groups.'

Steering group member James Spencer added: 'In phase two, the ­steering group's role becomes one of coordination of the work of the four working groups. The result should be, early in 2016, a plan to be submitted to local people at a referendum.

'If the majority vote in favour of the plan, it will become part of the local statutory development plan. This is about creating a town fit for the future.

'For phase two we're seeking ­volunteers to join whichever working group will be addressing topics of most importance to them. Now is the time to act.'

To volunteer for phase two, telephone Salcombe Town Council project officer Pete Robinson on 01548 842282, or email [email protected]">[email protected]. The Salcombe Neighbourhood Plan website can be found at http://www.salcombeplan.org">www.salcombeplan.org.