PLANS to build a camping facility at Germansweek have been refused by West Devon Borough Council.

Planners from the council visited the site in November after they received plans for the siting of four insulated timber tents, two 'Showman's wagons, communal buildings and other structures to create a camping facility at Lower Brockscombe Coppice.

The council's planning committee refused the plans on the bases that the 'development, by reason of the site's remote rural location, several miles from the nearest facilities and poorly served by public transport is considered to represent unsustainable development, which fails to provide any over-riding economic or community benefit'. Poor road access, and the risk of pollution of the River Wolf were also listed as reasons for refusal.

The decision went against the case officer's initial recommendation for conditional approval.

The submission was brought before the committee by Cllr John Hockridge, due to the large number of objections to the proposals.

As well as being unanimously opposed by Bratton Clovelly Parish Council, 46 parties raised their objections, including 20 residents of Germansweek and 16 West Devon residents.

There were 13 representations of support, none from Germansweek, with eleven of those from West Devon residents.