PLANS for a nightclub on the edge of Tavistock have been re-submitted ? less than two months after they were rejected. West Devon planners narrowly refused the application by Canderbrook Properties for a 500-capacity nightclub, gym and sports club for land at Wilminstone Quarry on December 9 against planning officers? recommendations. The applicants have appealed against the borough council?s decision. But in the meantime they have resubmitted the original plans, clarifying details of the scheme which they hope will sway the planning committee. Councillors considered the development would be detrimental to the amenity of residents living in the area. Despite a membership-only scheme at the club and the provision of minibuses to take people home, the fear was that anti-social behaviour problems would almost certainly occur along the Old Exeter Road ? the main route back into town. Agent for the applicant Bob Page said incorrect information was given at the meeting in December which suggested the minibus cover was inadequate and that an outlet in town was running a 52-seater coach to Plymouth at the weekends to meet the locals? demand for nightclub entertainment. Jack Chams ceased the coach, provided by Plymouth nightclub Destinys, after its licence was extended to 1am. Six minibuses, doing 20-minute round trips of Tavistock, would be staggered so there would be a bus every five minutes for as long as was necessary to ensure that everyone had access to transport home, said Mr Page. He also said other facts that had not been made clear were that the club would provide 50 full and part-time jobs and the site had an existing planning permission until October this year for a leisure complex which had no limit on opening hours. Planning officers had recommended placing conditions on the nightclub application, including restrictions on opening times from 8.30pm to 2am Thursday to Saturday. Mr Page said: ?The existing consent is for a comprehensive development which includes the Southern wet quarry. ?The question is whether local residents would be more satisfied with the present application, which is for three late-night openings a week, or seven.? Cllr Shaun Watchorn, who represented the residents of Old Exeter Road at the December meeting, said he was not opposed to recreational or sports facilities. ?Despite the applicants? reassurances that this development will not have an adverse effect on local residents, there is big threat of anti-social behaviour because once alcohol is involved, people lose their inhibitions,? he said. ?In these circumstances even the nicest young men and ladies of Tavistock will do things they regret and it is the residents who suffer.? Mr Watchorn questioned whether towns and villages were the place for nightclubs: ?A nightclub is possibly something that belongs in a city,? he said. Opponent of the plan Annie Forster said the application was against planning policies which related to indoor sports and recreational facilities and town centre sites. She said: ?The re-submitted application gives further details of a bus and membership scheme but does not give any new reasons for approval. ?Yes, you can provide buses, but you cannot make people use them.?
