A YELVERTON couple who were refused planning permission for a sign pointing to their tea room are to appeal against the decision.

Les and Diana Wood, who run the tea room at Barnabas House, were told by Dartmoor National Park Authority that their directional fingerpost was detrimental to the character of the area and posed a danger to motorists.

The sign, which they put up shortly after submitting the application, stands on the common at the junction of Harrowbeer Lane and the B3212 Yelverton Road.

Mr Wood said: 'Without the sign, the only people coming in are people who know me or people who have been told about the tea room.

'It's a very small sign that's barely noticeable in fact, and I can't see how it could possibly cause an accident.

'I couldn't believe they turned the application down, especially when they're trying to promote businesses in the area. I'm definitely going to appeal.'

Mr and Mrs Wood received permission from Dartmoor National Park Authority in February this year to use part of the guesthouse as a tea room.

Mr Wood said: 'I can't understand why they gave us permission to open a tea room, but now won't let us have a sign to tell people it's there.'

The Times received a letter this week from a Horrabridge resident pledging her support for Mr and Mrs Wood in their planning battle.

Jacqui Wright said in her letter the situation was 'farcical'.

Referring to the rejection of the planning application, she wrote: 'This injustice and unfair victimisation in what is supposed to be a democratic country is appalling.'

Authority planners rejected the sign on the grounds that it was unacceptable in an 'area of special control of advertisements' and was 'likely to create conditions of danger to road users.'

But they acknowledged the need to attract customers to the property in a report.

Objections to the sign were received from the county environment director, who felt it was a distraction to motorists, and a neighbour who believed the recent addition of a metal teapot to the top of the signpost was out of keeping with the national park.

Buckland Monachorum Parish Council acknowledged the need for a new sign, but suggested the existing Harrowbeer Lane sign on the opposite side of the junction could be used instead of erecting a new post.

DNPA's planning committee authorised the use of legal action to enforce the removal of Mr Wood's new sign. But this would only be used as a last resort after exploring other options, a spokesman said.

The authority will liaise with Mr and Mrs Wood to try and resolve the issue.