It is disappointing but not surprising that Ivybridge Town Council feels ignored over the joint local plan. These plans are nothing like being community-driven, they are imposed locally by remote bureaucrats in Whitehall, Exeter and Totnes.

Despite being obvious to Ivybridge people, many concerns have not been addressed or explained in the JLP.

It is not clear why Ivybridge is selected again for more housing. We are already densely populated and a new town is being built not five miles away at Sherford. I detect no support for a bigger Ivybridge.

There are no articulated plans for improved or additional schools, health centres, integrated transport links or any explanation of the costs of the associated additional funding required in the JLP.

The JLP does not clarify how employment for the new population is created. Ivybridge is largely a Plymouth dormitory town. The major employers are reliant on public sector spending; jobs are under constant threat from central government austerity. It does not follow that, by building homes in our region – an area distant from major centres of population, with no local airport, a single major road route and a vulnerable rail line – a jobs bonanza will ensue. The JLP timeframe runs to 2035. There will be a significant social challenge across all work sectors presented by artificial intelligence and robotics in this period. This risk is not even acknowledged in the plan.

Ivybridge will become a soulless strip development from Lee Mill to Bittaford north of the A38. Estates at the extremes will have little in common with the centre of town.

I am an opponent of greenfield development, but if local government is desperate to destroy green fields, it should select sites to the immediate south of the A38, such as Cleeve. There, new estates would be within 10 minutes’ walk to the town centre, adding a sense of belonging. Developing this sparsely populated area will cause less congestion within the existing town.

I cannot see any benefit to the town from the JLP as it stands. It benefits landowners, developers and local government, which pockets six years worth of council tax for every new home it approves.

How much real democratic expression of local communities’ concerns will remain in Ivybridge and Devon once the Conservatives achieve their landslide general election victory? I doubt they will thank the community by listening to our concerns in return. The history of omnipotent governments would actually suggest otherwise.

Ian Ross

Ukip candidate

Devon County Council

Ivybridge division