PLANS to locate a modern auxiliary coastguard unit in Lynmouth are hanging in the balance after failing to win all-out support from Exmoor planners.

The Coastguard Agency wants to convert an industrial unit at Woodside Court, Watersmeet Road, into a coastguard station.

But an application to change the use of the premises was earmarked for refusal at Tuesday's meeting of Exmoor National Park Authority.

Officers advised that although the agency did not require planning permission, it still needed to go through the application process.

If objections were made against the plan, the application would then go to a form of appeal, with both sides being asked to submit written representations.

Planning committee members were told the proposals would have little affect on the surrounding conservation area or "neighbouring amenity".

However, they were told they had a duty to protect employment opportunities in the park and granting the change of use would lead to a loss of an employment building, which in turn was contrary to the authority's own policies.

A report by officers to the committee stated: "The loss of the employment premises needs to be balanced against the benefits that would accrue from having the coastguard station within Lynmouth and close to the harbour.

"These are material planning considerations, which should be taken into account.

"However, it should be noted that there is no over-riding need to be in this specific building and once lost the building in unlikely to return to employment premises."

The auxiliary coastguard unit was currently based in Countisbury in a small hut, which failed to meet health and safety standards.

The Lynmouth unit would be converted to provide an office area, toilet, kitchen, training room, a garage for emergency vehicles and equipment and a generator.

While the unit would be closed most of the time, it would need to be available all day, every day to allow crews to respond to emergencies and to provide training as and when it was needed.

The agency claimed no other buildings in the area were suitable for their needs and appealed for permission to use the unit.

Members decided to defer making a decision and called for more information from the owner of the unit to investigate whether there was a need to retain it for employment use.

l The committee deferred making a decision on whether to take enforcement action over an unauthorised stable block after being told a retrospective planning application had been received.

Members were told the owner of Fern Cottage, Cutcombe, had been told by an officer to stop work on the block at the rear of the cottage as it needed planning permission.

A report to the committee said the owner had told the officer she urgently needed the stables for a horse that was in foal, while the block had already been paid for.

The report stated: "The owner was again told not to proceed any further without first obtaining planning permission.

"Advice was also given that, in the officer's opinion, the stable block proposed was too large and would adversely affect the visual amenities of the area."

The committee was also advised that on a recent visit to the site no horses were stabled in the block, but two of the stables were being used by the owner as part of her hat making business.

Four windows had also been built into the stables, together with electricity points and a telephone line.

The report added: "No on-site works suggest that any horses are going to be stabled in this building."

However, the officer noted that the main house was in the process of being extended and it was likely the business would be transferred back into the house once the extension had been completed.

l The committee decided to take enforcement action against the owner of Orncott Farm, Exford, for breaching a legal agreement, which stated that a dwelling in the grounds could only be used by an agricultural worker.

However, members decided to give the owner until the beginning of October to rectify the situation before any action would be taken.