THE demolition of a block of five garages in Tavistock?s Bannawell Street has been given the thumbs up by West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee. Members heard the garages were considered a brownfield site, situated between Bannawell Street and Taylor Square, directly below Tavistock?s historic viaduct and within the Conservation Area. In a report to members, planning officer Ben Dancer said: ?The garages by virtue of their design and construction are not a positive feature of the Conservation area. ?It is the view of the conservation officer that their removal would actually enhance the area by removing buildings of poor quality design and construction.? The committee heard there had been eight letters of objection submitted to the council by residents concerned over health issues ? the ageing garages contain a quantity of asbestos. The committee agreed to grant planning consent for the demolition, on condition the correct protocol regarding disposal of asbestos was observed. A planning application to erect a three-storey block of ten flats with six parking spaces on the site was deferred, pending a site visit by the planning committee.
