PLANS for an industrial building in Tavistock have been approved, despite a petition from nearby residents. Permission was granted for a larger replacement building for Tavistock Tyre and Exhaust Services on the Plymouth Road Industrial Estate. The main issue of contention was that it was 2.6 metres higher than the existing building. Resident of Grenville Drive Pamela Walters said the building was out of character with the rest of the industrial estate. ?It might look acceptable to councillors as a set of plans seen in an office but the reality is completely different,? she said. ?If they just modernised the original building there would have been no problem but this is just a monstrosity.? Ward member for Tavistock Cllr Alison Clish-Green expressed concern over the height of the building. Planning officer Jane Hart said planning consent had been given for a replacement building a year ago but the current application was for a larger construction. She said the building was clearly visible from gardens in Grenville Drive and the neighbours objections were not ?frivolous?. ?We have to, however, bear in mind this is an industrial estate and given the distance between the residential properties and the new building, we feel it is acceptable.? she said. Permission was granted subject to several conditions, including the submission of landscaping details and external materials and that the premises should not be used outside the hours of 7.30am to 6.30pm weekdays and Saturdays and no Sunday working unless otherwise agreed in writing. Owner of Tavistock Tyre and Exhaust Services Simon Allen said the company had the opportunity to purchase a second hand building and re-erect it on site. ?It is slightly larger than the original plan but we purchased it and transported it here with the planning authority?s blessing,? he said. ?We have never done anything illegal and have tried to keep in with our neighbours. The work that has been done has been in consultation with the council?s landscaping officer and neighbours.? Mr Allen said it had been agreed to build a brick wall with a privet hedge on the top.
