CAMPAIGNERS claim a public meeting to discuss the future of Berry Head in Brixham turned to 'farce' when developers refused to answer questions.

About 170 people turned up at Brixham Community College for a special meeting organised by Brixham Town Council entitled: The Future of Berry Head to Sharkham Point, Consultation Meeting.

But many left confused and angry after representatives from Park Holidays UK, which wants to develop its caravan park at Landscove, declined to answer questions from the public.

The company says it did not want the meeting to turn into a 'shouting or tomato throwing match' event and said it had held a consultation in the town only a week before.

However organiser and Brixham councillor Jackie Stockman (pictured) said she was staggered by their refusal to speak.

She said: "It started off as a consultation meeting, but in my opinion we can only consult if people are prepared to respond to questions.

"I'm stunned by the fact they did not take part in the debate.

"We were all hoping for an open debate so people would be fully informed about what was happening.

"People came willing to listen and basically it turned into a farce."

The meeting was an opportunity for the public to question various developers who have different plans for the Berry Head area.

There are currently seven developments either planned or in the pipeline, including Park Holidays' scheme for an extra 98 static caravan pitches at Landscove.

There are also schemes in the pipeline for development at Wishings Field and for eco-houses on former MoD land.

Some of the developers did speak about their schemes and were willing to talk to the public.

Parts of the headland lie within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Coastal Preservation Area.

Resident Helen Hardy says people braved wet and windy weather to attend the meeting, only for it to be a complete waste of time.

She said: "Almost everybody who went wanted to hear what Park Holidays had to say.

"They were asked four times by members of the audience and they didn't even acknowledge us.

"I was gobsmacked and still don't understand it.

"People go to a public meeting to air their grievances and if they go away at the end without doing that it is very frustrating."

Matt Purdom, planning director at Park Holidays, attended the meeting with Ian Butter, planning consultant for the Landscove scheme.

He said: "I didn't want it to turn into a shouting or tomato throwing match. There are too many important issues to consider."

Mr Butter added: "We have engaged with and been very open with the local community from the outset, addressing meetings and undertaking site meetings and discussions where appropriate."

He said the company held a consultation meeting at Brixham Town Hall on January 28.

He added: "Some 50 people attended that meeting, including Brixham town councillors and a wide range of questions were addressed."