A COTTAGE extension in Tavistock has been refused by West Devon planners because it is within an important part of the World Heritage site. Council officers had described the proposed extension to No 17 Fitzford Cottages as a ?modern but sensitive one? and recommended it for approval. The cottage is within a group of Grade II listed cottages mentioned in the details of the Cornwall and West Devon World Heritage mining landscape. The proposal was to remodel and extend the rear of the property, to create a glazed link between the house and the extended pigsty. Large rooflights would be installed creating an indoor courtyard. Although large, the conservation officer said its innovative design would be less dominating than the neighbouring extensions, many of which were also two storey. Speaking at a meeting of the West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee last week members said although other properties in that row had been allowed to extend and in some cases less attractively so, that was in the past. They now had to look at things differently with the World Heritage site designation.
