A CONTROVERSIAL application to build a new base for a West Devon sports club in a site of outstanding natural beauty finally got the thumbs up from planners this week.

Weir Quay Community Watersports Hub Club has been given the go ahead to build a boat park, including a boat shed, engine store and associated works on land adjacent to South Tamar Mine, subject to a legal agreement ensuring the club relinquishes use of its existing facility within three months.

The application, which has already been revised once, has been the subject of a fierce campaign by those opposed to the plans. They believe the development will have an adverse effect on a heavily protected conservation area, which is also part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site.

Planning officer Ben Dancer told Tuesday's meeting of the planning committee that the application was 'finely balanced'.

The club's activities were unique in that they had to be based close to the river in order to operate. The extremely sensitive site had to be given heavy consideration — but an extensive list of conditions, plus a legal Section 106 agreement forcing the club to give up its present facility within three months, should ensure no intensification of activities in the area took place.

Borough solicitor Becky Fowlds told councillors she was 'absolutely confident' the committee could legally go ahead with a decision.

Stephen Gill, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Weir Quay group, reminded councillors that the Tamar Valley AONB Service, Devon County Historic Environment Service and the borough's own strategic planning department — key consultees — all objected to the proposal.

The 'massive excavation works' and prominent car parking at the proposed development would be visually intrusive in an outstandingly beautiful area with acknowledged 'wow factor', said Mr Gill, who added that far from being finely balanced, the balance was actually 'tipped significantly against the proposal'.

Peter Key, speaking on behalf of the hub club, said Weir Quay Sailing Club had been providing instruction, recreation and entertainment for its members of all ages for more than 40 years, and the gig club for more than ten years.

He said: 'The two clubs have been working very hard to find a solution, they have been very active in informing the community and they have raised their own funds to purchase the site.

'We have enjoyed a summer of Olympic sport and grown used to the word legacy. This is an opportunity for us to create a legacy for the residents of West Devon — I hope you will support that legacy.'

Ward member Robin Musgrave said he appreciated the importance of Weir Quay and its unique setting, and the fears people had about development, extra traffic and visual impact. However, the councillor was satisfied that the site was the only viable option for the club, and that it had done everything within its power to reduce the impact of the development.

Ward member Mike Benson said the club, whose members ranged from children to pensioners in their 70s, had to find a new base in order to continue to operate and the proposed site was the only feasible one.

'In this Olympic year, are we going to support one of the largest clubs in West Devon, or create a situation where its closure is inevitable?' asked Cllr Benson.

Cllr James McInnes said while it was necessary to conserve highly designated areas, that did not mean treating them like museums, or refusing any sort of development whatsoever, to the detriment of a living, breathing community.

Cllr Terry Pearce said that following a highly informative site visit, he felt the development would be low profile and provide the best possible solution.

The committee agreed by eight votes to one to delegate to West Devon's development manager to grant consent, in consultation with the planning chairman, subject to the successful signing of the 106 agreement within three months.

A list of 18 conditions was also imposed, covering landscaping, drainage, disposal of contaminated land, hours of operation and site usage limitations.