CALSTOCK Parish Council has opposed plans to create a second storey at a property in Calstock, after members heard that it would be detrimental to the view from the river of one of the oldest buildings in the centre of the village.

Councillors said the plans by Christopher Friend for extensions and alterations of the roof of 1 and 2 The View, The Quay, Commercial Road, Calstock, were 'inappropriate'. They said the county's conservation officer should be involved when the application went to Cornwall Council.

At a parish council meeting last week, Lime Kiln Gallery proprietor Bernie Hawes said: 'We are members of a fragile commercial sector in the village and feel we trade primarily on our position.

'This proposal is to put a second storey across a riverside residence. I am also a resident in Calstock and believe this would be detrimental to the village's historic position from the river.

'It would bury the Lilm Kiln complex, which is one of the oldest buildings in the centre of Calstock. It would make it completely invisible from the river.'

Agent for the applicant Mike Leggett said he understood the commercial argument but said the view of the kilns was often obscured by cars. Although he accepted the application may have some impact on the view from the river, he did not believe it an important one.

'There are a great deal of views from the river which are far more attractive. If people are interested in the industrial archaeology of Calstock they are likely to go onto the land and have a look.'