AN application to redevelop the Exeter Road Garage site to provide flats and a convenience store has been approved at the second attempt. A previous planning application was rejected by West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee in May, but a revised plan was approved by the committee last week subject to a number of conditions. Okehampton West ward members Cllr Kenneth Williams and Cllr Jayne Hill opposed the application and had the support of their Okehampton East ward colleagues Cllr Elaine Kale and Cllr Jo Slater, who felt despite changes to the design the plan was still over-dominant in the area. But the application was passed thanks to the support of committee members from other areas of the borough. Significant changes had been made to the plans to address some of the concerns about design and dominance which had led to the refusal of the previous application. The revised design showed a two-storey U-shaped building comprising a single convenience store and 21 flats. The planning officers? report stated that it should be noted that the first floor apartments on the northern wing of the U-shape had been designed so that the main living rooms faced inwards towards the amenity area, while bedrooms faced outwards, ?thereby minimising the potential effect on neighbour privacy?. There were 14 letters of objection to the proposal from nearby residents, but these were outweighed by letters of support which said the development would benefit the community by providing accommodation at a reasonable price and would enhance the existing convenience store facility.