THE fate of Milton Abbot Primary School?s controversial ?peace window? should be decided next month when a revised application goes before West Devon planners.

The school submitted a new planning application, with several modifications, after their previous proposal for the installation of the stained glass window was rejected.

Planning officials claimed the circular window, made by a 93-year-old Benedictine monk, would be detrimental to the character of the Grade II Listed building.

But headteacher Peter Jones is optimistic the new plan will impress the borough?s planning committee.

He said: ?We feel we have addressed the issues raised at the first meeting, and I think the councillors will be impressed with the changes we?ve made.

?I believe we have managed to produce a unified and balanced proposal.?

The peace window, which depicts the universe with a rising sun and a flame representing the spiritual essence of life, is intended for one of the school hall?s windows.

Under the the new application, the window will be surrounded by glass in the corners of its rectangular frame. An adjacent ?twin? window, which has undergone various changes in the past, will be reinstated to its original form in keeping with the hall?s other windows.

Planning officer Edward Persse said improvements in the new application mean the window would fit in better with the character of the building.

He said: ?The way they are intending to fit the circular window into the existing opening is certainly more sympathetic and minimises the impact to the surroundings.

?The original plan was to fill the corners with some sort of solid block, like wood, whereas now it?s surrounded by glass.?

Cllr Roger Mathew, chairman of the planning committee, said: ?I have spoken to Mr Jones and made some suggestions, because fitting a circular window into a listed building is always going to be a very difficult hurdle to overcome in terms of planning constraints.?

But he added the modifications would by no means guarantee a favourable outcome for the school.

?The highly commendable purpose and sentiments of this window are not the issue here,? he said. ?The only issue in this

decision is whether it aesthetically suits the building into which it is being placed.

?I have told my committee that should be their only concern when determining whether to approve this application.?

The decision to turn down the original application last November sparked angry reactions, and West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett added his support for the scheme.

The peace window is part of a worldwide programme of similar windows organised by the Flight of the Phoenix project, which aims to link children of different cultures, race and religion in the spirit of peace and harmony.

Mr Jones said fundraising had so far reached around half of the £4,000 cost of the peace window. ?I would like to thank everyone who has supported the project so far,? he said.

The window will be on display in Tavistock Pannier Market on Saturday March 15 and 29, and raffle tickets will be available to win a Raku swan specially created by well known local potter Jenny Hale.

West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee will make its decision on April 1.