PLANS to develop a site of huge historical significance in Tavistock were stalled last week after members of West Devon?s planning committee decided to see for themselves the area in question.

The committee was asked to give consent to demolish unlisted buildings at Kaminski?s Garden Centre in Parkwood Road, which is within the town?s conservation area.

Planning officer Ed Persse said most of the buildings in question dated from the early 19th century when the site was used as a woollen mill. They included ?north light? buildings, built with glass sections specifically designed to take advantage of good light for the industrial work carried out inside.

He said the site was particularly sensitive as it included the oldest foundry building in Tavistock. The proposals would need particularly careful handling as the area was part of a bid to gain status as a World Heritage Site.

The foundry itself was subject to a planning application to redevelop into houses, the committee heard.

Dr Tom Greeves, objecting to the demolition plans for the site, said there was ?only one chance to make the right decision for future generations?.

Dr Greeves said: ?I believe, if approved, important elements of the industrial heritage of Tavistock and the South West will be lost for ever.

?It is no ordinary site ? it is one which connects us to the two most distinctive industrial activities associated with Tavistock for hundreds of years ? woollen manufacture and mining.?

Dr Greeves said demolition of one of the unlisted buildings to allow parking would be ?cultural vandalism? and he said the glass roofs of the woolcombing sheds were an ?increasingly rare survival? of old industrial premises.

The committee granted listed building consent for alterations to allow conversion of the foundry into nine dwellings.

But members agreed a site meeting should be held before considering conservation area consent for demolition of other buildings within the site, thus deferring a decision on a change of use application from builders? merchant to dwellings.

The applications will now be considered by the planning committee during its last meeting before the local elections on May 1.