PLANS to build 15 flats on the Carlton Cinema site in Okehampton were rejected by West Devon councillors on Tuesday. The scheme, to build the two-bedroom flats with associated on-site and off-site parking, was refused as councillors feared it would provide a poor standard of amenity for future residents and the car parking bays were considered to be sub-standard. An application by Tavistock-based Grey Brothers to demolish the building as part of the redevelopment of the site was also refused. The application had already received criticism from Okehampton Town Council concerning over-domination and impact on the area, traffic flow, noise and insufficiency and allocation of parking spaces. Seven letters of objection had also been received from local residents. Cllr Ken Williams said he ?fully supported? the views of town councillors. ?People have very fond memories of the old Carlton. It?s very sad,? he said. In their report, planning officers stated that although the design was ?quite imposing? it included ?good design details? which would reflect the Art Deco-style of the cinema facade, casement windows and front-facing gables. They also said that redevelopment of the site was ?acceptable in principle, even taking into account the deficiency in parking provision and issues of noise?. However, officers recommended the application be refused on the grounds that ?it provides no usable amenity space for future residents,? adding that this is contrary to policy advice contained in the Local Plan. Cllr James McInnes said the Carlton was held ?with great affection? in the area and urged developers to consider celebrating the cinema in any future plans for the site. And Cllr Jayne Hill said: ?We are pragmatic enough to know that the chances are residential will go there. But let?s have it in keeping with our town.? Planning chairman Cllr Roger Mathew concluded: ?A rather better scheme could and ought to be achieved.?
