Dartmouth Town Council recommended refusal of the lift shaft and associated works in South Town at their recent meeting.

Councillor David Gent, chair of the planning committee, said that they recommended refusal for the application, which has garnered many letters of objection from local people, due to the “encroachment on to Manor Gardens”.

The application, to replace 72 steep steps with a rise of 13 metres, down to The Boathouse, South Town, with a lift shaft from the road height down to the first and ground floor of the property.

BBH Architects, who are submitting the application on behalf of Mr and Mrs Nick Royle, say that if the property was built today, the steps wouldn’t meet building regulations as they would demand that “makes reasonable provision for most people, including wheelchair users, to approach and enter the dwelling”.

He said: “While the height is not too bad in the new plans, we felt the encroachment onto Manor Gardens, which is a popular viewing spot, and the overdevelopment of the site, meant we had to recommend refusal of the application”.

The application was submitted to South Hams Council in January, and the town council originally recommended for approval, and the plans have since been revised and resubmitted in March.

There are 63 letters of objection associated with the planning application, which will now be decided by South Hams District Council.

You can view the application on SHDC’s planning website by visiting www.southhams.gov.uk, clicking on ‘Planning’ and searching for application number: 0096/17/HHO, or use this link: http://apps.southhams.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/170096

You can find out more about Dartmouth Town Council, their meetings and your councillors on their website: www.dartmouthtowncouncil.org