AN application to convert a two-storey barn into a holiday cottage, just a few metres away from a boarding kennels near Tavistock, was last week given the green light by West Devon?s planning committee. The committee heard the barn, at Indescombe near Wilminstone, was situated in open countryside ? but only five metres from kennels owned by the Kestrel Kennels boarding business. Objections were submitted to the committee, claiming the barn was situated in a flood plain which had been subject to recent flooding incidents ? its proximity to the kennels would also result in complaints regarding noise. The committee was told the barn would only be used by holiday makers, who would be restricted to stays of no more than six weeks at a time. A flood risk assessment had been carried out by the Environment Agency, which was happy with its findings. The committee was told that as far as noise was concerned, holiday lets did not enjoy the same level of protection in terms of residential amenities as full residential properties. The committee agreed the conversion could go ahead, subject to conditions including submission of flood warning and evacuation procedures which must be approved by the planning authority.