AN application to establish a new bakery and coffee shop in Tavistock town centre was this week given the thumbs up by planners — despite more than 40 letters of objection and opposition by the town council.

Members of West Devon Borough Council's planning committee agreed the change of use application by the Cornish Oggy Oggy Pasty Company, which wants to use the old Kivells estate agents office, a Grade II Listed building in Brook Street.

Objectors to the application claimed there were too many cafés in Tavistock already, and some said 'we will be known as the coffee shop town'.

Planning consultant Stephen Gill, who represented the Brook Campaign in its successful fight against Sainsbury's proposed move to Tavistock, spoke against the bid by the pasty chain.

Mr Gill said he was not opposing the application on grounds of competition, as that would be 'laughable'.

'It's about town centre policy and particularly protection and enhancement of the vitality of the town centre.'

Mr Gill said it was part of the local authority's role to maintain a range of town centre shopping facilities to promote diversification and vibrancy.

He said there seemed to be 'little point' in saving the town centre against the threat of a supermarket giant like Sainsbury's, if the local planning authority then permitted applications such as the one by the Oggy Oggy Pasty Company.

He also questioned the Brook Street building's suitability as a café. There were two steps up into the entrance of the Kivells building, making it impossible for access by the disabled, said Mr Gill.

Cllr Mandy Govier said she was concerned about the impact another coffee shop and bakery would have in the town centre.

'I think there's another point which has not been raised and that's about the night-time economy. This doesn't propose anything towards that, it's strictly nine to five.

'We really struggle in Tavistock to get anything to open longer. It's a ghost town come 5pm and I just feel genuinely uncomfortable about this application.'

Cllr Govier also questioned the fact the Oggy Oggy Pasty Company had not applied for consent for alterations, including the installation of a flue.

But planning officer Katie Graham said there were no policy objections to change of use from financial and professional services to retail use.

Ms Graham said the town council had claimed the proposal was similar to an application which was refused on a West Street site.

Miss Graham said: 'A key difference between the two sites is that this application is not within the core shopping frontage area, so the proposal is materially different from the application within West Street.'

And planning chief Jane Hart said the Sainsbury's application was for an out of town site, which was 'not directly relevant' to the change of use bid for the old Kivells office.

Ms Hart said: 'This is a town centre use. I don't feel that it would have any implicit adverse implications for the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.'

The committee agreed the change of use by four votes to three. The painted white hart on the side the building must be retained and preserved, as it is an integral part of the property's listed status.