AN ALTERNATIVE use for a Highampton nursing home which charity C-FAR wants to convert into a rehabilitation centre for young offenders has been put forward to West Devon Borough Council.
Opponents to the young offenders' centre have denied that the proposal for a rare breeds visitor attraction at Burdon Grange Nursing Home has been submitted to try and hold up the C-FAR plan.
The applicant Sid Lew from Highampton declined to speak to the Times but leading opponent David Richards said a rare breeds attraction was a sensible and viable proposition.
'I am not personally involved in the application but I think it would be an ideal use of the site,' he said.
'There is nothing like this in this part of the country and it seems very appropriate for the area especially since foot and mouth has decimated livestock around here.'
The proposal has been suggested as a possible project for the South West Regional Development Agency's Market Towns' Initiative in which the Hatherleigh area has a chance to bid for up to £1-million regeneration funding.
Owner of Burdon Grange Nursing Home, Maurice Thomas said he was surprised by the application as no-one connected with it had been around to look at his property.
'No-one has approached me and phone messages to the applicant left by my estate agent have not been returned,' he said.
'Whether this is a smoke screen or not I do not know — I have no objection to them making an application — my interest is in selling the place and retiring.'
West Devon Borough Council is requesting more information on the application including anticipated visitor numbers.
Planning officer Chris Watson said anyone was entitled to make a planning application regarding the Highampton property but each would be treated on its own merits.
'We have two separate proposals here which will be looked at individually,' he said. 'There is no question that one will hold up another.'
The board of directors at C-FAR will meet tomorrow to decide whether to appeal against the borough council's recent refusal of a certificate of lawfulness.
The certificate would have given the charity approval to move into the property without having to acquire planning permission.
Some residents of Highampton are opposed to C-FAR moving in because they claim it would bring a 'cultural revolution' to the area.