AN APPEAL has been lodged following West Devon planners' refusal to grant consent for the demolition of the old folk's rest room in Tavistock earlier this year.
Hunstrete Estates Ltd had applied for planning permission to knock down the 50-year-old building and erect a two-storey shop on the site.
But this was thrown out by the planning committee in July because members said it would cause an unacceptable loss of a much used community facility.
Planning officers had recommended the proposal for approval because they said there was no reason to refuse it on policy grounds — there is no policy in place to deal with the loss of a community facility.
Planning committee member Mandy Govier said it came as no surprise that Hunstrete had appealed against the refusal of permission: 'This is a much loved and valued facility that serves the residents of Tavistock and beyond. We can only hope that the planning inspector agrees and gives appropriate weight to the community need for this facility.'
Committee members were told in July that between 300 and 400 elderly people used the rest room each week to meet friends and have a cup of coffee. Cllr Ted Sherrell said it was part of the fabric of the town and Tavistock did not need another retail shop — there were a dozen empty ones already, he said.
Chairman of the old folk's rest room committee Yvonne Meneer said: 'We will continue to fight to keep it open as long as we can — nobody wants to see it close. It's just a waiting game at the moment.'
The rest room has been leased to Tavistock Town Council for many years for a peppercorn rent of £5 per annum but from February 2009 the rent is expected to rise to 50% of open market rental. The applicants have offered a financial sum to help find an alternative venue for the rest room.