John Fraser of Westville, Kingsbridge, writes:

I would like to say a big thank you to the six district councillors namely Wright, Brazil, Coulson, Squire, Pennington and Hicks, for showing commonsense in their appraisal of the K5 development and refusing planning consent. It is refreshing and encouraging that the majority in this instance had the foresight to realise this application was not going to meet local housing needs.

I had concerns over many issues – access, traffic, pedestrian safety, density, flooding, etc affecting the whole of Kingsbridge generally, not just Westville. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty criteria was recognised as a major issue and thankfully you have listened to the local electorate in their strong condemnation of this application.

It gives me confidence for the future, that if you speak up and be counted there are people in responsible positions, like yourselves, who take notice and for that I am truly grateful.

I personally have mentioned the now redundant Belle Hill playing field in correspondence and at meetings as a good alternative, transferring development to the north of Kingsbridge which is nowhere near a hotspot as Westville Hill, which will only get worse with the ever expanding community school. The road infrastructure is already in place from Stumpy Post and surely thousands if not millions would be saved in the developing cost of this level site, hopefully making it more affordable for local housing needs.

As far as I am aware Mr Pope, head of Kingsbridge Academy, has not been officially approached over this suggestion but is open to suggestions.