AN application to build a storage and agricultural building on a farm at Bere Ferrers was rejected by West Devon's planning committee this week following huge local opposition to the scheme.

The committee rejected planning officer's recommendations that the application, by Dawe Farmers Ltd, of Merton Bungalow, should be granted.

The planning report stated that residents feared an increase in traffic movement, noise and smells and there were concerns the building would be used as a livestock handling centre.

But planning officer Chris Watson said Mr John Dawe had stated, in writing, that the building would be mainly used for storage of vehicles and just once a month for storing animals prior to slaughter.

Councillors heard there were 40 letters of objection to the scheme, plus a petition of 168 signatures, out of a parish which had just 312 on the electoral role.

Neighbour Jill Etherington said she and other residents were 'sympathetic' to the difficulties faced by farmers, but said Mr Dawe owned other sites which could be used for the building, away from neighbouring properties.

She also felt the development would be inappropriate in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Cllr Christine Grills, ward member for the parish, said: 'This is not a handful of people being nimbys, these people are really concerned about safety, smell and noise and the effect it will have on the village community.'

Cllr Grills said the road to Bere Ferrers was 'very narrow', difficult for large vehicles to negotiate, and hedges and verges were already being damaged by their movements.

'How is the extra slurry going to be disposed of?' she asked. 'Over the past four years there have been numerous complaints regarding noise and smell but nothing has been done to alleviate nuisance to the neighbours.'

The committee agreed the application should be rejected, on grounds of the detriment it would cause to the amenities of neighbours and the fact it was in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr Dawe, who is vice-chairman of Devon NFU, said later he was disappointed by the decision. 'It was not an alteration from the existing farm and it was not further expansion,' he said.

Mr Dawe added that he would study the paperwork regarding the decision before considering whether or not to lodge an appeal.