A GROUP of Hatherleigh residents concerned about the town's future met last week to discuss how they could shape the future planning application of the Hatherleigh Market site. Around 45 people attended the public meeting in Hatherleigh Community Centre on April 22, to discuss the outline planning application for the site which has been approved, and how best to affect the development of the reserved matters application. In February, West Devon Borough Council gave permission for the demolition of existing market buildings, a multi-use building to accommodate the fur and feathers auction, and a pavilion and open space for the weekly Tuesday pannier market. Those in attendance shared their concerns over the space allocated for the Tuesday market, and the number of houses planned for the site. Clare Tyson is a Hatherleigh town councillor, and attended the meeting in an unofficial capacity. She assured those in attendance that the views of the community had been taken into consideration during the planning process. She said: 'The Hatherleigh Community Plan has been listened to, and it has affected the planning. The original application was for 140 houses, and the concerns of the community brought that number down to what it is now, 106.' The group decided to write e-mails to West Devon Borough Council regarding the smell of the abattoir, to contact developer LHC for a public consultation, and to find out the size of the current space for the Tuesday market to determine the area needed for a viable market. Dan Garett, known locally as Dan the Fish Man, has a stall at the Tuesday market. He said that the Tuesday market's stall holders felt 'solely and sorely let down' by the application process, and wanted to fight to increase the proposed space for the Tuesday market. 'We as stall holders feel powerless. We are not apathetic but disempowered. 'We want to know how this market plan is ever going to work. We want to find a way forward. At every point, we need to get our points across and make ourselves heard. 'If we don't, we will end up with twee little gazebos and the market will become nothing more than a glorified jumble sale.' Cindy Squire, who helped to chair the meeting, said: 'We are not against change. Change will happen. But it has to be change that suits the town. 'It is evident that West Devon Borough Council do listen to what we write to them, so we need to do what we can to make our voices heard, and ensure that any change is right for Hatherleigh.' A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said: 'We will continue to work closely with all those involved in this project and we would also encourage any future developer to engage positively with the community too. 'The draft Section 106 agreement is progressing and when approved will address some of the concerns raised by those who attended the meeting.'