PLANS to build a 60-bedroom care home in Okehampton have been rejected due to the implications on a heritage site.

Southern Properties applied to West Devon Borough Council for a time limit extension on an application to build a care home facility with two and three storey elements, with a car park, staff areas and vehicular access on Gunns Yard, located to the rear of the Pretoria Vaults, the Exeter Arms and Okehampton Library.

The town's old lemonade factory currently stands on the site. Evidence suggests that the building was built between 1905 and 1914, and borough councillors are keen to see it retained.

Ten councillors unanimously refused the application, based on the fact that the site's medieval field boundaries and the lemonade factory building needed to be more fully retained in any future applications.

Councillors also raised concerns about access to the site,

Borough and town councillor Tony Leech said: 'I am surprised that the true historic significance was not mentioned in earlier reports.

'I can't see how you can put a 60-bedroom building on this site without decimating any heritage aspects, or things of historical importance.

'Speaking to residents and going to the site, it is clear access is not good enough. The entrance is not wide enough for emergency vehicles unless they are very small.'

Cllr Terry Pearce agreed: 'So much of our heritage has been lost in towns across the UK, and this is a building of significance, despite its smashed windows and the tiles being taken off the roof.'

Despite councillors turning down the extension, if an application that incorporated the heritage features could be created in future, they would be open minded to approve an application.

Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: 'If the applicant could change the building footprint to incorporate the boundaries and factories, a future application would be looked upon favourably.'