A UNANIMOUS thumbs up was last week given to the extension of an industrial bulding situated next to a site of national architectural importance near North Tawton.
West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee heard that if Vital Dogs, a major employer in the area, was unable to expand its business near De Bathe Cross, it would have to move, causing a ?major blow? to the local economy.
Vital Dogs, which employs more than 150 people, had applied for permission to extend its present premises, behind the architecturally important Grade II* Listed Cottles Barton manor house, by more than 3,500 sq metres.
The site is also close to an ancient monument site, believed to be an ancient Roman marching fort.
John Milverton, planning officer, told the committee the proposed extension would increase the prominence of the building ?significantly? on the landscape and would be difficult to screen.
He said the key elements for councillors to consider were to what extent the extension would affect the ancient monument site and whether it would undermine any further the setting of the listed buildings close by.
Other elements to consider were disposal of stormwater drainage, the possibility of localised flooding and its effect on the ancient monument.
These factors had to be weighed against the economic benefits of the scheme to one of the borough?s major employers, said Mr Milverton.
Cllr Nick Morgan, ward member for North Tawton, said Vital Dogs was one of the ?greatest success stories in West Devon?.
?From a man going round selling animal food from the back of a car to a person who employs well over 150 people, and 300 nationally, I think he needs any support he can get,? said Cllr Morgan, who conceded the extended building would need careful screening to lesten the impact on the surroundings.
Cllr Dennis Bater said he believed the ancient monument marked the furthest point the Romans reached on their march through the South West.
?I fought like blazes to get this through and he did say then that he would employ up to 48 people ? I feel really vindicated that this man has now got to 150 in North Tawton alone!? said Cllr Bater.
The committee agreed unanimously the proposed extension should be granted planning consent, on conditions including implementation of landscaping, storm water drainage schemes and an archaeological survey.