A FINAL decision is set to be made early next month on a controversial plan to create a takeaway food and drink kiosk at Burrator Dam.

The application by South West Water seeks to change the small building along the road to the south-west of the dam, which is currently used for electrical equipment storage and as a mess room for South West Water staff, into a retail kiosk providing hot and cold snacks and drinks as well as basic other retail such as the sale of postcards. The application is similar to one which was rejected in 2013 on the grounds it would lead to over commercialisation of the area.

Bell Cornwell LLP, planning consultants for South West Water, said in its application: ‘These proposals should be considered in parallel with a separate application which has also been submitted to bring the disused toilet block located on the opposite side of the road, back into use.

‘This scheme is similar to one which was advanced in 2013. Since that scheme was refused, there have been some changes in the issues surrounding the proposals and it is now considered that there is additional justification sufficient to warrant a further application. In addition, further work has been done to address members’ concerns regarding the scheme and its impact on the character of the area.’

It said the current building was of poor design quality, was in need of restoration and had a ‘utilitarian’ appearance at odds with its surroundings. It proposed the kiosk to be ‘extremely modest’ in size with a small area of the existing terrace to be used to site some picnic tables and modest alterations made to improve the exterior and make it more ‘harmonious’ with its surroundings.

The kiosk would be operated by South West Lakes Trust and if approved, would replace the existing ice cream van which currently operates at the dam.

The consultants said: ’The proposals represent an important way of meeting the needs of existing visitors in a way which will lead to an improvement in the environmental and operational character of the area whilst being sufficiently modest as to avoid the potential for any commercialisation of this sensitive part of the national park.’

The consultation period for the application ended last week and received 15 comments of support and 25 comments of objection.

Traffic chaos and increased commercialisation of the area were just two of the recurring reasons for objections.

Among those against the plan was Burrator Grouped Parish Council which said: ’The parish council objects to the application on the grounds that the introduction of a commercial facility in a location outside a rural settlement is considered to be inappropriate and unjustified and will have an adverse impact on the special character and quality of the national park, contrary to the Dartmoor National Park development plan.’

Also in objection to the plan was the West Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) for reasons including increased litter at the site and traffic congestion.

The CPRE representative said: ’The location is right on the T junction where the peripheral road meets the road which crosses the dam. It is well known to all that this area can become very congested on busy days, although the authorities have not in the past seemed to share the concerns that local residents have at the chaos that can ensue on such occasions. While the kiosk may not attract more cars to the area as a whole, it may tend to concentrate more traffic to accumulate at that point, rather than parking at various other car parks around the lake and thus exacerbating an already bad situation.’

Other objections came from the Dartmoor Preservation Association, residents of Sheepstor and the surrounding area and visitors to the beauty spot.

Comments of support came from residents of the parish and regular visitors to the site, highlighting that South West Lakes Trust should be given the opportunity to benefit from profits made by such a facility in order to plough this back into further works to improve the reservoir and that it would create a valuable amenity for the visiting public.

One supporter said: ’I can see no reason why the development would not be sensitive to the area of its location and in fact would improve the visual impact as there is currently a semi derelict building on site. I work with students with disabilities who regularly access Burrator for leisure, voluntary conservation work and enjoyment and modern, well managed toilets are absolutely essential. Burrator is a popular location and I can see no reason why it should not have enhanced facilities for the visiting public.’

Another said: ’The intended building is set back from the road and rather than cause a hazard it will get people off the highway as they do now queuing for ice creams opposite the dam.’

A decision on the application is set to be made by the Dartmoor National Park Authority on November 5.