Yes’ to scale and design

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish the Longboat Caf� to make way for a glass-fronted restaurant are closer to being realised after district planners this week accepted its size, design and scale.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish the Longboat Caf� to make way for a glass-fronted restaurant are closer to being realised after district planners this week accepted its size, design and scale.

But members of East Devon District Council voted to defer a decision on the amended proposal because they wanted more detail before granting permission.

Joint applicant Jane Hushon said after the meeting: "We will await the council's comments and feedback and will continue to work with East Devon District Council's planning department.

"We have listened to the comments raised at the meeting and we are prepared to work in partnership with the council."

Both the district council conservation officer and planning officers have backed the plans.

East Devon District Council's planning committee on Tuesday voted after a debate lasting over two hours to accept the mass, scale and general design of the building.

But they deferred making a final decision on the proposal until they were satisfied with a number of conditions, which include:

l A schedule of materials and finishes must be submitted and approved in writing by the planning authority.

l Large scale working drawings of some architectural and functional details to be submitted and agreed in writing.

l Full details of internal and external lighting to be submitted for written approval.

l Full details of the fume extractor system for the kitchen to be submitted and approved in writing.

Further discussions about the loss of a council-owned shelter, which will be demolished to make way for the development, and the county council-owned footpath in front of the proposed restaurant are also required, the members said.

An application made to list the building could hamper - but not prevent - proceedings.

Some eight members, including Councillor Ray Franklin, voted in favour of the general design of the building - agreeing 'in basic principle' the 'mass, scale and general design was acceptable'.

Councillor Steve Hall and six other members voted against the current design.

Cllr Hall backed Cllr Franklin's proposal to support the design and defer the decision until he was passed correspondence by Otter Valley Association chairman Helen Tickle.

The third Budleigh ward member, Councillor Malcolm Florey, EDDC's business champion, was not present at the meeting but sent a letter supporting the application, saying it would be a 'dynamic' addition for the town.

An open session heard comments from members of the public opposed to the application, including Budleigh Salterton's mayor, Councillor Courtney Richards. Retired ward member Jed Falby spoke in favour of the application.

EDDC's design champion, Cllr Andrew Dinnis, said 'the need for something eye-catching for Budleigh Salterton goes without saying' but he said more detail was required from the applicants.

East Devon District Council development management chairman Paul Diviani said residents had to realise Budleigh Salterton may be unique to them, but the council viewed it as 'part and parcel' of East Devon.