A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to create a Tesco store on the site of the former Focus DIY store on Plymouth Road Industrial Estate is being recommended for refusal by West Devon Borough Council's planning officers.

The borough's planning committee will make a decision on January 7 as to whether to grant permission to site owners Marchfield Properties Ltd to refurbish the existing retail unit for use as a food store.

The applicants also wish to relocate the customer entrance, remove the garden centre sales area to provide additional car parking, instal landscaping and associated works to the site layout and building, along with an additional exit lane onto Plymouth Road.

In a report to members, the planning officer recommended that the committee refuse the application for reasons including the adverse impact on the 'vitality and viability of Tavistock town centre', that the proposal would result in the 'concentration of three supermarkets in a single, out of town centre location' which would give scope for intensification. It would generate requirements for improvements to public transport and improvements to the town centre — and in the absence of planning obligations for the latter two, is contrary to the Core Strategy.

In the report, the officer said: 'The assessment of this application is finely balanced.

'Some strong arguments have been made in favour of the proposal, but, on balance, it is considered that the proposed supermarket would have a significant adverse impact upon the town centre and it is, therefore, recommended for refusal.'

The report recognises there is 'significant local support for a new supermarket, and passionate opposition' and that it will be a difficult decision for committee members to make.

If the plan is approved, the application would bring with it approxi-mately £220,000 of contributions towards infrastructure improve-ments and to projects in Tavistock town centre.

Marchfield Properties Ltd hopes the new supermarket will create 105 new jobs for people in West Devon.

Martin Hawkins, who runs a business in the industrial estate, said: 'If this proposal is given the go ahead it will bring massive benefits to businesses like ours in the retail park.

'Some other traders and I believe that we could create up to 40 new jobs on the back of the boost in trade we will get from the new store.'

Tavistock Town Council voted in favour of the application — but Tavistock Chamber of Commerce and Tavistock BID (Business Improve-ment District) voted to oppose it.

BID chairman Tony Whitehead said: 'It would be damaging to the town centre.

'If it damages busi-nesses such as the greengrocers or the delicatessen then it has a knock-on effect to the other businesses in the town.

'The more you draw people away from the town centre and don't get the footfall, the more businesses are going to lose out — we don't think there is a need for another supermarket.

'We are adequately served by the three we have.'