A PROPOSAL for a caravan park in Tavistock has been refused for a second time by West Devon Borough Council's planning committee.

The company, 3H Investments Ltd, was applying for consent to change the use of agricultural land to the North East of Redmoor Close at Butcher Park Hill to site 52 timber-clad caravans.

But councillors remained concerned about the visual intrusion and the need for this type of development.

They refused the proposal, in line with officers' recommendations, because they felt it was unnecessary development in the countryside and that the visual intrusion from the footway and lighting would be detrimental to the rural character of the area.

Some 70 letters of objection had been sent to the borough council and 26 in support. Concerns included the potential increase in traffic movements, the prominent location, meaning the park would be visible from a wide area and the point of access.

The proposal was for a mix of one, two, three and four bed lodge-style units and included a reception building and parking space for 64 vehicles.

Officers said that although there were potential benefits arising from the proposal, including employment opportunities and an extension of the 30mph speed limit into Tavistock, these factors did not outweigh the objections.

'Furthermore, the requirements to satisfy highways issues have led to the development being unacceptably visually intrusive in the open countryside,' they said.

The applicants said their proposal would bring in more than £1-million annually to the local economy.