I am aware of the change in ownership of the Deer Park Inn and proposed development at the entrance to Deer Park Homes Village, Stoke Fleming.

In my opinion, the new development plans are still not in keeping with the current Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I also think the ­developers are just out to make money at whatever cost, regardless of whether the style of flats are in keeping with the area – these flats are more in keeping with a built-up area, just not the countryside.

At present, I’m not a resident of Deer Park Homes Village, but I have been looking to buy a property there for some months.

Around 18 months ago I heard about this lovely AONB in ‘Stoke Fleming’, so in June 2017 I came to see for myself and decided this is where I’d like to live. I started looking for properties in Deer Park Homes Village and for the past eight months I have still been looking at the properties that have come on the market, but which have unfortunately as yet not been suitable.

Having moved from Hampshire to Brixham in September 2017, this enables me to continue to look for ­properties when they come on the market as well as any development plans that may affect the area.

If only an entrepreneur could see Deer Park Inn as a lovely building that could not only be restored to serve the community within Stoke Fleming with a bar, hotel, restaurant, tea shop, a ­regular meeting place for local people to enjoy a drink, share music events, darts, snooker, private functions, garden parties etc, but also for many other functions, such as wedding receptions, weekend retreats for musicians, artists, craftspeople, dancers etc.

Halsway Manor in north Devon is an example of what Deer Park Inn could offer in the way of a retreat. Developing the current building will in turn bring far more wealth into the area than flats.

There is also the question over whether there are bats present in the building.

Bats are a protected species and are at present in hibernation during the lengthy winter period, from October to April, hence the reason they are difficult to see high in the rafters of the property of Deer Park Inn during this hibernation period.

Some species of bats use the same site year after year when they roost, and I feel this should be investigated further in the spring, when their hibernation is coming to an end.

My biggest concern is that, having read a previous letter saying that this development could and will reduce the value of some of the properties in Deer Park Homes Village if the current development plans go ahead, this could in turn have a knock-on effect for all the ­residents of this private estate, and I will have to think again, as I’m sure other prospective buyers will too if there is the risk of a property devaluation in the village.

Jennifer Tierney

Bolton Street, Brixham