Visit to Stoke Gabriel
Visiting Stoke Gabriel, it is easy to see why there is overwhelming opposition to the proposed Rowes Farm Development. Single track access through high Devon hedgerows is part of the charm of Stoke Gabriel, but becomes a nightmare when inappropriate development is forced on a small community.
Everywhere I went, residents were keen to express their dismay at the proposals and the dangers of becoming swallowed up by developments encroaching from Torbay, eroding the green belt and prime agricultural land.
Conservatives have an alternative which would give power back to local communities. Affordable housing built by local housing trusts. These developments would remain in local ownership in perpetuity and provide affordable housing for local people. Housing Trusts would not be able to expand a village or Town by more than 10% over a ten year period and would not proceed if more than 10% objected in a community referendum.
Conservatives would abolish regional spatial strategies and return genuine power to communities like Stoke Gabriel.
