A CARAVAN site development proposed for a farm near Sampford Courtenay will not go ahead, after West Devon Borough Council this week voted overwhelmingly to refuse planning permission.

The application for a 40-pitch touring caravan park at Appledore Farm was turned down after councillors argued potential issues with the site could not be balanced by a demonstrable local need for further caravan pitches.

Councillors argued the location of the site — off the B3215 between Okehampton and North Tawton — could pose danger to highway traffic.

Cllr Terry Pearce said: 'I know that road well and the speed on it is quite alarming. It is a national speed limit stretch and is used as the one opportunity for motorists to overtake on the journey from Okehampton to North Tawton. I cannot believe there are not more accidents on that road.'

Councillors argued slow-moving caravans turning onto the road could pose additional danger for site visitors and other road traffic.

The Devon County Council Highways Authority did not express any concerns about access to the site in their consultation response.

Cllr Bill Cann said: 'I just cannot understand where the highways officers are coming from. This beggars belief.'

The borough council's landscape officer said care had clearly been taken in considering boundary planting and screening, but that further detail was required, commenting on the difficult growing conditions at the site.

The planning applicant, Tim Webb, told councillors: 'We appreciate the nature of this application is sensitive, and would of course ensure that any conditions attached to planning consent are strictly adhered to.'

Three members of the public attended to register their objections to the proposal, stating that noise and light pollution from the site would impact on neighbouring properties, and that the need for such a site had not clearly been demonstrated.

Cllr David Weeks, ward member, said: 'I would like to remind members that other such sites have closed in the local area over recent years, including one in Sampford Courtenay itself within the past ten years.

'Last October, this council heard an application for another caravan site nearby, and one of the reasons that was turned down was because there was insufficient justification for the site.'

Cllr Dennis Bater argued that there was a need for caravan storage, which would be provided by the site, and abstained from the final vote.

Councillors decided to overturn the planning officer's recommendation to grant planning permission, and voted for refusal with only one councillor abstaining from the vote.