SOUTH West Water's controversial plan to develop Burrator Lodge has been withdrawn — for the time being.
Following the Times story last week, which showed strong opposition to the scheme, SWW has decided more consultation is needed.
Spokesman Stephen Swain said the strength of public opinion had highlighted a need to talk to local people and dispel any notions of a hidden agenda — opponents of SWW's scheme at Burrator have long been concerned these plans were the 'thin end of the wedge'.
Mr Swain said: 'The company acknowledges the concerns expressed by local people and wishes to take account of these in planning the future conservation of this popular area.
'SWW feels it needs to explain and discuss the plans further with local people and their representatives, and, with the current situation concerning the foot and mouth outbreak, the company feels this is not the right time.'
Mr Swain made it clear the withdrawal was only a temporary measure.
'The company has clear statutory obligations to make its reservoirs and open land accessible to the community, and remains concerned about the inadequacy of the present facilities.'
He said the company had been heartened by the Government inspector's indication that the plans would be an improvement and felt they had only failed to win complete support because the lodge became a listed historic building between the lodging of the plans and the appeal.
Dr Tom Greeves, chairman of the Dartmoor Society, said: 'This is good news. We welcome the withdrawal and we welcome the fact that SWW recognises it needs to talk to people about its plans — that's a step forward at least.'
Dr Greeves said they would like the lodge to be used, but felt the only suitable use for it would be as office and living accommodation for staff who look after the site — the purpose for which it was originally built.
Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: 'We are very pleased they are not going ahead at the moment and will be opposing any plans for suburbanisation or commercialisation of the area they put forward in the future.'
Ms Ashbrook said the building must be used in a low-key way as Burrator was a sensitive area and nothing must be done that would bring large numbers of vehicles.
Graham Ledger, of the Friends of Burrator, said: 'There is so much opposition to SWW's plans for Burrator, and there would have been more this time.
'We are delighted to hear this, and so are the people who live around here — common sense prevails.
'We realise it's going to come again, but equally it sounds as though they want to listen to what the public is saying — I don't know why they haven't before and just leave the damn place alone, all they want to do is make money.'
John Bainbridge, chief executive of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, said: 'Nobody would object to anything sensible being done to the lodge, if they ever came out with anything sensible, but I think there's a deep feeling that once they've got this they will keep on pushing for more — that's the sort of organisation they are.
'If they are seriously concerned about public opinion they should just drop the whole thing, I can't see how they think they can win around the majority of local people.'