A PLANNING application to convert a Grade II listed building in a tiny West Devon hamlet into a rural studies centre has been given the thumbs down by Dartmoor National Park Authority?s planning committee. The scheme, submitted by King Edward VI School in Hampshire, included the conversion of an outbuilding and construction of a bunkhouse for 24 people at Lower Lovaton Cottage in Lovaton, near Yelverton. Planning officers had recommended the change of use application be refused, but recommended granting listed building consent for the alterations. But residents in the area campaigned hard to fight the proposal, claiming the narrow lanes around the hamlet were unsuitable for the extra traffic generated by a study centre. They were also concerned about water provision ? which is sourced through boreholes and could be limited in dry spells. The committee rejected the change of use application on grounds it would lead to an unacceptable loss of amenity to nearby residents, that the roads would be unsuitable for traffic generated and due to lack of mitigating evidence relating to protected species in the area. The listed building consent was rejected on grounds the alterations would adversely affect the character and appearance of the property.