A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to create a wedding venue within a wilidlife haven at Grenofen has been given the green light. The application for 'Ever After' at Lower Grenofen was put to West Devon Borough Council in 2013 and received a high level of opposition from local residents. In August 2013 the application to change the use and part domestic curtilage to a wedding ceremony and reception venue was turned down by the borough's planning committee, despite officers' recommendation to grant a temporary consent for three years. The main concerns from local residents and councillors were with the traffic on the narrow approach road, which is also a bridleway, lack of parking and noise impact. At the time, owner Nicola Evans said that she and her husband had owned the site and 100 acres of surrounding woodland for 12 years, that they did not receive any money to manage the woods and said a great deal of effort and money went into looking after the area. Mrs Evans said the wedding venue would pay towards managing the woodland and bring financial benefits to the area. An application for an appeal was made by Mrs Evans after the planning application was refused — now the appeal has been upheld by the planning inspector. The main issue within the appeal was whether the proposal's benefit to the economy would outweigh impact for existing users of Grenofen Lane, and on neighbours, due to noise and activity arising from weddings being held at the site. Planning inspector Douglas Machin said West Devon's core strategy policy did not permit development in conservation areas that would be detrimental to their natural beauty and quiet enjoyment. But he added that the provisions of core strategy policies emphasised the need to 'support the rural economy' and 'encourage small scale business developments that will allow the countryside to be a place where local people can continue to live and work'. The inspector said regarding access via the 'steep and narrow lane', the evidence provided by the appellant, and the lack of objection from the highways authority, was 'persuasive'. He said: 'It shows that with the construction of the two passing bays the appellant proposes, the level of increase in the use of the lane by wedding guests could be satisfactorily accommodated without undue inconvenience or danger.' With regard to noise and general disturbance, Mr Machin said the use of a 'zone array' proposed by Mrs Evans would deflect sounds as part of a noise management plan. Mr Machin said: 'I have reached the overall conclusion that the economic benefits of the proposal clearly outweigh any possible harm. 'I am in no doubt that this is a scheme that furthers the council's expressed support for the rural economy and complies with the core strategy policies.' Owner Nicola Evans said: 'We are pleased that the planning inspector has upheld our appeal and granted our application with costs. 'We take no pleasure in receiving a costs order against the council, we are council tax payers ourselves. 'We think there are serious questions to be answered by the planning committee and the planning department about how this and other planning applications are dealt with locally, but for now we look forward to launching our new wedding venue and bringing new business and visitors to Tavistock.' Opponent and neighbour to the wedding venue Jonny Kurzman said that his concerns were not just for himself but for everyone who enjoyed walking or picnicking in the beauty spot. He said: 'The inspector has not conceded one inch to the local feeling and has given the applicant everything they want, and the icing on the cake. 'What if after three years the objectors are right and the noise does disturb people, what if it does ruin our much loved beauty spot, what will happen then? 'I hope that this won't affect people's enjoyment of the area, as this is an area for listening to birds, not disco music.' A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said the authority was 'shocked and disappointed' at the planning inspector's decision. No application for costs had yet been made.