PERMISSION has been granted to demolish a house in Whitchurch Road, Tavistock, and build six on the site, despite overdevelopment fears.

Outline approval was given to Commander K Cook to build six dwellings at Bellever, Whitchurch Road which extends to almost half an hectare.

Officers from West Devon Borough Council said that to the rear of the present house was a large mature garden and the site was fairly well screened with hedges.

The council's planning committee was told that a number of previous applications had been granted for the same proposal but applicants could no longer renew an existing permission — they were now required to apply in full.

There were 25 letters of objection to the proposal with concerns over highway safety, impact on neighbour amenity and on the character of the area.

Tavistock Town Council was also against the development, claiming it was overdevelopment and that vehicles would have to access onto a highway (Whitchurch Road) of 'difficult and frequently obstructed visibility'.

Devon County Highways raised no objections but commented that minor alterations were required to make the proposed access onto the site acceptable.

Officers said the homes would not exceed the density thresholds and took into account the landscape features on the site and would not be detrimental to the area.

Support was given to the scheme subject to a Section 106 agreement which requires a financial contribution towards community infrastructure or facilities, and a number of conditions. The developer's contribution will be towards education.