PLANS to extend Devonshire House Surgery in North Tawton to include a pharmacy have been rejected by West Devon Borough Council.

Wallingbrook Health Group, which runs the surgery, had applied for a ground floor extension to the existing surgery to provide a pharmacy, a covered walkway with a ramp, and disabled parking spaces. If given the go-ahead, the pharmacy currently within the town centre would have moved to the surgery.

The plans were unanimously rejected by the borough council's planning committee last week, going against the planning officer's recommendation.

Councillors cited the visual impact on the building, which is not listed but is considered a heritage asset within the town's conservation area.

The building is dated 1862 and is of early Victorian design. The extension would have been of a modern design, as recommended by planning officers at a pre-application advice stage. However, councillors felt this modern design was not in keeping with the Victorian building.

North Tawton Town Cllr Nick Morgan said: 'The proposal is not sympathetic to Devonshire House, the conservation area and listed buildings in the area. The town council has objections based on these plans.

'The impact this would have within the conservation area is not outweighed by the benefit to the surgery and its sustainability.

'In all honesty it would look like a glorified conservatory, and this would drive a coach and horses through the core strategy.'

Cllr Terry Pearce echoed the sentiments: 'I have my concerns. I feel there could be a far better extension to preserve the character of the place. What has been put forward is not pleasing.

'My other concern would be for the future of the chemist shop in North Tawton if the pharmacy moved. We would have a major shop in the town that surely would be closed in 12 to 18 months.'