A SCHEME to demolish a two storey house and build 14 flats in Drake Road, Tavistock, was last week thrown out by planners because it would be too dominant in the town's conservation area. A recommendation was made by chief planning officer Jane Hart to West Devon Borough Council's planning committee to refuse the application because of its bulk, height, form and design — even though the plans had been thought of favourably by the former conservation officer. Mrs Hart said the building would be 'unacceptably dominant and would fail to preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area'. Applicant Tony Walker said his focus was to design a building worthy of Tavistock: 'I have spent a year working with the planning department to satisfy local planning policies and national strategies,' he said. 'As a resident of Tavistock I wanted to do something that contributed to the town bearing in mind the conservation area and heritage site.' The design included roof terraces and balconies and a communal garden which ran the whole length of the building on the valley side, making the most of the aspect. A vehicle space and cycle space had been allocated for each dwelling. Cllr David Best, who declared a prejudicial interest because he lived close to the site but was also representing a neighbour, said the first thing he saw in the morning was Rockmount 'sticking out like a sore thumb.' 'This proposal would be most overdominant because the site is set up on a pinnacle,' he said. 'It is so named because it is on a pinnacle of rock - that is why it is so high up in the air.' Cllr Mandy Govier said if the development went ahead it would block the view of one of the archways of Tavistock Viaduct, leaving only two visible: 'I would like to commend the developers for the parking space they have allowed but unfortunately the building is far too big.'
