ALAN MIDDLETON, of Townstal Road, Dartmouth, writes:

I am writing regarding Tor Homes' proposal to build five flats and houses, with associated infrastructure on the site of the car park, Ivatt Road, Townstal.

I am concerned about the amount being squeezed into this space. It seems to me that a very, very useful amenity, namely up to 25 car park spaces, is about to be lost to the community.

It happens to be next to the bus stop on the local route serving Townstal and Dartmouth, a route that is quite narrow and twisting in places, especially in the area the car park, Carey Road, Ivatt Road and Davis Road.

All the people who use the car park either to go to the shop, live in the Tor Homes flats next to the car park – they have no allocated parking – or to park and catch the bus.

Some who come in from outlaying areas leave their cars there while they visit the doctor or chemist in Dartmouth, where there is no parking.

Others leave their cars to walk to the various churches in Townstal, or some just to get off the road at night.

All these cars and vans would still want to park and will probably do so on the bus route, adding to congestion.

At the very least can we have a compromise of a small block of flats at the Carey Road end leaving at least half, say 12, of the parking spaces for the public.

There is a shop to the rear of the car park which would need some parking to exist, also the last house in Townstal Road, number 103, has a garage at the rear.

The proposed layout would make it very congested in this small area. The minimal space allocated to the shop indicates that vehicles would have to drive in and reverse out into Ivatt Road – not good . This would also be in competition with the five private parking spaces to serve the five proposed homes – assuming they only have one car.

There are also numerous water meter covers in the car park serving houses in Townstal Road.

The existing car park is not always full but cars and vans are constantly in and out. It is also used at night by work vans and lorries. The park and ride is closed for half the year, and this is the only car park outside but near to Dartmouth.

Tor Homes, for some silly reason, fenced off the car park last November.

The roads both on the estate and main road have now become quite congested.

Tor Homes staff have been parking up to three transit vans on the pavements on Carey Road Hill at the junction with Ivatt Road, making it difficult for pedestrians and for buses to pass and pull into the bus stop.

Tor Homes worked last summer in the same flats but then it put mobile stores and even a rest room in the car park with no inconvenience to anybody.

If Tor Homes needs five more properties, there is some space unused at the junction of Britannia Avenue and Townstal Road and probably more around the area.