MAJOR plans for a historic town centre building by pub giant J D Wetherspoon this week came under fire from a prominent supporter of Tavistock's heritage, who claimed they would make West Street comparable with Plymouth's Union Street.

John Taylor, chairman of the Tavistock Heritage Partnership, said he was shocked on hearing J D Wetherspoon's plans for the former Browns Hotel on West Street.

The plans propose a ground floor extension to enlarge the customer area and proposed internal alterations, under planning and Listed building applications.

The hotel, a former coaching inn, is a Listed building and one of Tavistock's oldest licensed premises. It is included on the town's historic 'Wynne map', dating back to around 1752, in which it appears as The Queen's Hotel. This is the first map of Tavistock, drawn up by the Duke of Bedford's surveyor.

Mr Taylor told the Times: 'This application is a gross overdevelopment of the site, including building over the historic courtyard; moving the kitchen complex into a new building from west to east; ripping out the bedrooms in the stable and replacing them with a large toilet block at first floor level and creating an additional large drinking area at the front — all of which are inappropriate for this important Listed building in the centre of the conservation area for this historic World Heritage Site.

'This is a very poor quality over-intensive development, lacking in architectural merit, of an important historic Listed coaching inn at the centre of the conservation area within the World Heritage Site.'

Mr Taylor approached Tavistock Town Council on October 21 in relation to the planning applications submitted by J D Wetherspoon.

Councillors agreed to discuss the matter further at its plans committee on October 28, to which all councillors were invited to attend.

Cllr Julie Whitcomb, chair of the plans committee, was in favour of the plan.

She said: 'If Tavistock does not move with the times it will not be possible for Tavistock to carry on as a vibrant town.'

Cllr John Sheldon said: 'There are issues with the plans and these can be ironed out.

'Wetherspoons is a good organisation and will enhance the town — they will supply good food at reasonable prices.'

Mr Taylor, director of Wessex Heritage, said at the meeting: 'This really is a major application and my concern is with the residential aspect and the sheer size of the development — it's just not fair on the residents.

'I have nothing against Wetherspoons, just with the size and the number of people in one location will be a problem, particularly late at night — we are turning West Street into Union Street.'

In response, Emma Taynton-Young, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, said: 'Stop opposing planning applications to the town or we will have empty buildings — how good will that be for Tavistock?'

The town's planning committee voted to object to the application by two votes to one.

A spokesperson for J D Wetherspoon said: 'Wetherspoon has reviewed its drawings and can confirm that the frontage remains to all intents and purpose, intact, with the only the signage being replaced and a proposed cellar drop.

'We have infilled at the rear and extended at the side of the building which has been negotiated with the planning officer.

'The architects responsible for the project (on behalf of J D Wetherspoon) would be happy to meet with the chairman of Tavistock Heritage Partnership to discuss/explain our proposals so there is no ambiguity or provide them  with a visual of what is proposed.'

l The final decision regarding J D Wetherspoon's application lies with West Devon Borough Council, as a planning authority.

WDBC will be consulting with ward councillors shortly in relation to the applications.

Consultation on Wetherspoon's applications was closed to the public on October 9.