A CAMPAIGN to reintroduce a rail link between Tavistock and Plymouth has passed a major milestone after councillors approved a strategy which includes the proposal.

Supporters last night said they were "delighted" after West Devon Borough Council passed its "core strategy" document, with 22 votes in favour and six against.

It includes the Kilbride Group's outline plans to build 750 houses in Tavistock, which includes the £18.5 million rail link to offset the increase in traffic that would be created by the extra homes. The line would connect Tavistock with Bere Alston and the current link to Plymouth.

The creation of the homes and the rail route has been the source of much debate in the town.

Some had thought the vote could be tight, as members had previously voiced concerns about the size of the development and its location, as well as doubts over the benefits of the railway and whether it would materialise.

However, after a debate which lasted about an hour and a half, members allowed the strategy to go through on a decisive majority.

Speaking after the meeting, Charles Howeson, chairman of the Plymouth Area Business Council and chairman of First Great Western, said the decision was a "victory for common sense and balance". He emphasised the benefits to commuters and leisure users as well as to the environment, and said it would provide crucial positive focus in the recession-ridden economy.

He said: "The concept of being able to travel to and from Tavistock in about 30 minutes, which is virtually impossible at the moment, is a dream. This vote is the precursor towards bringing it to reality. It's special for everybody in Devon, Cornwall and the Plymouth city region."

He said the concerns of those who objected must still be considered in taking the proposal forward.

Council leader James McInnes said the plans represented a "joined-up" approach to all aspects of planning in West Devon for the next 20 years, including road links, health facilities and education provision.

He said: "In the final analysis, members have strongly debated this, and have come to the right decision."

He said the need for the 750 homes in Tavistock had been demonstrated, and that ultimately they would have had to be built even if the council had rejected the proposal which included the reopening of the railway line, which was a victim of the Beeching axe of the 1960s.

Peter Frost, managing director of Kilbride, attended the meeting. Afterwards, he said he was "absolutely delighted" with the result. "It was a very good debate," he said. "Everyone put forward their views, but it was quite an overwhelming decision in the end.

"One of the key points of the debate is that there's still flexibility in the proposed strategy, to allow for changes to be made. I think that's a very good idea. People will still be able to have their say."

At the moment, the strategy is still at the pre-submission stage. The next step will be a consultation of at least six weeks, expected to begin next month. The proposal is likely to be formally submitted in September, and will then go forward for public examination at an inquiry overseen by a planning inspector.

The entire process is expected to take at least another year, and then Kilbride will submit planning applications for development.