AN application to demolish commercial buildings at Lumburn and replace them with three houses was rejected by West Devon's planning committee last week.
Members heard the buildings, owned by a local company which has moved to Pitts Cleave industrial estate near Tavistock, occupied a brownfield site which should be retained for employment land.
Christopher Dykes, who represented residents in the area opposed to the application, said flooding was a problem which would be made worse if the land was developed for housing.
Cllr Robin Pike, ward member for Gulworthy, had 'mixed feelings' about the application.
'It's a complicated issue — we all know the water problems have been horrendous out there. Whether the drainage could cope with extra houses remains to be seen,' he said.
But Cllr Noel Cartwright was in favour of the application. 'I don't think it's suitable employment land — these small sites in the countryside are less than viable these days,' he said.
Planning chairman Cllr Roger Mathew saw no reason to go against policy on this occasion, although he accepted that demand for employment land in an open countryside situation was a 'relatively weak' argument against consent.
The proposal was turned down because loss of the existing employment site would be detrimental to the local economy — there was also no proof of need for such a development in open countryside.