EXTENSIONS to the historic Venn House at Lamerton to provide more care home accommodation have been rejected by planners because of their impact on the Grade Two listed building and the residents who already live on site.

Despite claims by the applicants Venn House Care Ltd that the proposals — a 35-bed extension to the coach house and an extension to the main house — would make the business more viable and provide a boost to the local jobs market and economy, West Devon Borough councillors said the buildings were detrimental to the site.

Both applications and listed building consent were refused, following recommendations from the planning officers.

There was concern from the owners of the 16 orchard cottages at Venn House — who are elderly but not in need of residential or nursing care — that their free use of the orchard area would be diminished by the new 35-bed extension.

Addressing the planning committee on Tuesday Marian Weston, whose mother lives in one of the cottages, said the extension was four times the size of the period coach house and was 'wholly inappropriate'.

'It will dwarf the cottages, coach house and barn. The only windows the residents have will be overlooked by this building. It is an infringement of human rights and will reduce the quality of life for the residents.

'Venn House is a beautiful property that may be spoilt for commercial reasons. There is no thorough business plan and there is a risk that increasing the size may make it more unsustainable.'

Representing the applicant, planning consultant Peter Rowan said the proposals had been designed in discussion with English Heritage. In terms of the location of the 35-bed extension he said that English Heritage had dictated the perimeters of where the building should go. The original proposal was a three-storey building but had been reduced in height to lessen its impact.

Mr Rowan said his client would not consider spending £1.5-million on this development unless he thought the business would be sustainable. The extension of the business was expected to create up to 42 jobs and produce a turnover of £1.2-million in the local economy.

Venn House Care Ltd's application to demolish the existing extension to the main house itself and replace it with a larger structure housing two extra bedrooms, a bathroom, lift and day room was turned down because it was considered detrimental to the historic house.