TRADERS in Okehampton?s St James Street are opposing a move by John Burnett MP to relocate his office into one of the street?s main retail units.

There is concern that the proposal goes against recent enhancement works to make St James Street more welcoming to shoppers and visitors. Okehampton Town Council has also refused to support the plan.

An application has been made to change the double-fronted shop Room 13 and the Little Cherub at 13 St James Street from retail to office use because Mr Burnett?s current constituency office further along the street is no longer big enough.

But shopkeeper Brian Hutchings from Telecare Electrics said it did not make sense to spend so much money in this area ? a paving and landscaping scheme around St James? Church, a sculpture on the wall and new toilets and revamping of Fairplace Gardens ? only to have offices replace shops.

Mr Burnett?s current office has been described by traders as a ?pig in a poke? and unlikely to be converted into a shop. Room 13 meanwhile has been a retail unit for well over 20 years.

?It is well known that Okehampton has a shortage of vacant shops, with many new business unable to locate suitable premises,? said Mr Hutchings. ?There is little doubt that 13 St James Street would not remain empty if it is offered up for retail use.?

Martin Grant from GTI Print and Design said to let this prominent shop change to an office after all the thousands of pounds that had been spent on enhancement was ?a complete waste.?

He said traders in St James Street had suffered considerable disruption over the past few years and while not agreeing entirely with the need for these changes, they were placated by being told the enhancements would increase the trading potential of this area.

?It would seem therefore imprudent to remove a well-sited double-fronted shop,? he said. ?I understand Mr Burnett?s reasons for moving but it will be a real loss to this street.

John Stevens from Bob Gee?s Estate Agents, who are acting as agents for Mr Burnett said: ?The existing constituency office has become far too small to accommodate staff, thousands of files and other papers ? so much so that other premises are having to be used for storage.

?Very few suitable premises were available to rent and 13 St James Street was the most appropriate.?

West Devon Council planning officer John Milverton said this part of the town was not in the core retail area and therefore was not protected by planning policy.

?Mr Burnett is proposing to move to another premises in the same street and one would assume his existing office would come on the market,? he said. ?If someone wishes to use this as a shop, they can then apply for change of use from office to retail.

?We have no great objections and will be recommending the application for approval.?