WEST Devon planners have decided to approve the demolition of the public conveniences in the Mill Road car park.

The Mill Road toilets were one of three public conveniences proposed for closure in the borough last year, as West Devon Borough Council strived to make cuts. The toilets have been closed ever since.

Town and parish councils were also asked to contribute towards keeping other public toilets open.

Members of the borough council's planning committee paid a visit to the site on August 23 to fully assess the building's architectural merit and necessity for public toilets in the area.

At their latest planning meeting on Tuesday, borough councillors approved the decision by a vote of seven to one, with one abstention.

Councillors also discussed the possibility of turning the space created by the demolition into a parking space for coaches bringing tourists to the town.

Cllr John Hockridge said: 'One of the big drawbacks Okehampton has from the tourist point of view is the lack of coach parking.

'The ability to park coaches here could be a tremendous boost to the town and a tremendous facility.'

The demolition will leave the Fairplace and Market Street toilets as the main public conveniences for the town centre.