LOPWELL camping barn may be sold by West Devon Borough Council if no alternative business use is found or leasing of the barn is unprofitable. Members of the council?s environment committee agreed the move after hearing the barn was incurring a current loss of approximately £2,000 a year. Rob Sekula, countryside and community projects officer, said the barn had been subject to a number of problems. There had been vandalism of various types and because of its remote location, the council relied on local residents to let them know when this was occurring. The warden had also resigned and it was anticipated it would be difficult to find a replacement. Bookings had declined for a number of reasons, dropping from a peak of 1078 bed-nights in 1998 to only 143 this year. Scout and guide groups were no longer able to use the barn for child protection reasons, due to there being external public access to the adjoining toilet block at all times ? the toilet facilities are shared by barn users and the public. The building was restored and opened for public use in 1996 and also has a self-contained office, currently used by a wildlife artist. Bookings for the barn are handled by the Youth Hostel Association. Mr Sekula said the three options were to continue use as a YHA camping barn and lease the office separately, to sell the barn and office, or to retain ownership and explore alternative business uses, including leasing for uses such as holiday lets, offices, studios or workshops. Several councillors expressed regret that the barn had not worked as originally intended, but unanimously agreed the council should look at selling the property if no alternative use was found within two months.