PLANNERS have decided that a decked area to the rear of Costa Coffee in Tavistock which was built without planning permission can stay.

West Devon Borough Council's planning committee approved the retrospective scheme following a site meeting at the premises at 43 Brook Street.

Three objections were raised to the proposal for the outside eating area including one from the Times because of the close proximity of the decking to its staff toilet block.

General manager of the Times Lyn Roberts said the decking, which was separated from the toilet block by a stone wall, invaded the privacy of staff.

She also said the vents were open to the decking area and was disappointed that the site meeting did not include a visit to the toilet block in question.

There was also concern over the loss of privacy to residents in 45 Brook Street.

Costa is open from 7am to 6pm six days a week and 9am to 5pm on Sundays.

Planners were told the area to the rear of Costa Coffee was covered by A3 use (restaurants and cafes) which meant food could be consumed on the premises. This use could have a greater potential for noise to be generated as well as smell.

Planning officers said the decking would only accommodate a small number of covers and would not culminate in a significant increase in noise. They recommended it for approval.

Cllr Denis Bater suggested some barrier or screening be placed on top of the dividing wall between the toilet block and the decked area but this was not supported by members.

'If we removed the decking the area would still have A3 use and could still be used as an eating area anyway,' said Cllr Bater. 'We are talking about noise from the premises but we could hardly hear each other at the site meeting because of the noise from the school opposite.'

Cllr Mandy Govier felt the outside area should never have been given A3 use because of the impact on neighbouring properties, some of whom were residential.

Planning permission was also granted for raised paved areas to the rear of 43-44 Brook Street, including steps and handrails. Cllr Govier suggested the fence at Costa Coffee be heightened to 1.8 metres to give the residents of No 45 some privacy. This was agreed.