AS many of you will remember, Okehampton Town Council and West Devon Borough Council have recently overwhelmingly turned down an application to build on the Rondor and Gunns Yard land between North Street and Northfield Road in Okehampton. This was turned down because of the loss of mature trees, inadequate sewerage and the poor visibility for access. The local residents have been successfully fighting this development since 1994 but the battle is not over yet because the developers have now put in an appeal and representations have to be submitted by November 13. This land was never part of the town?s development plans and we still have a real chance to stop the development if we act now. The Environment Agency acknowledge that there would be a significant risk of flooding in the immediate area if this development goes ahead as there is a natural spring running through the land (the old mineral bottling building still stands although the slates have recently been stripped from the roof) and it would be a very difficult site to provide adequate drainage to compensate for the high water table. One of the macrocarpa trees is over 60 years old and can be seen on the sky line from many areas of the town. Three species of bats use the buildings and trees and this is one of the few areas where the wildlife can remain undisturbed, despite the fact that it is in the middle of a very densely populated area of the town. The proposed access is also totally inadequate. I beg you to help our fight against this unnecessary and unwanted development by writing to the Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, Appeal Ref: APP/Q1153/A/07/2055498/NWF. All letters must be sent in triplicate. Alternatively, please return your letter to me or the North Okehampton Residents? Association ([email protected]">[email protected]) so that we can pass it on for you. I can also be contacted on 01837 53028. We can make a difference so please make your voice heard. Teresa Bishop 20 Northfield Road Okehampton