A CANOPY erected on a Listed building in the centre of Tavistock to protect smokers from the rain has been given the thumbs down by the planning inspectorate.
Tavistock Conservative Club erected the canopy over its balcony facing Bedford Square in 2007, following the act which banned smoking in enclosed public spaces.
The club did not have planning consent for the canopy and its supporting brackets, and an enforcement notice requiring its removal was issued by West Devon Borough Council's planning and licensing committee a year ago.
The club said the removeable awning had not harmed the Listed building and as it was a temporary structure, only to be used in wet weather; it was not realised that planning consent would be required.
Now, the planning inspector has dismissed the club's appeal against the enforcement notice, saying that 'without Listed building consent, unauthorised installation of a canopy and supporting brackets on the external elevation of a Listed building affects its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest'.