PLANNERS have given the thumbs up to proposals to refurbish Minehead's Hairy Dog pub and the adjoining Capers restaurant with the creation of new toilets, a dance floor and disabled facilities.

West Somerset District Council's planning committee agreed last week to the plans which will mean alterations to the layout of the restaurant and pub.

The brick facade on the roadside elevation will be demolished and an original bay window installed. Elsewhere, the brick is to be replaced with natural stone and a pitched roof incorporated to reduce the size of the flat roof area.

A new external stairway will provide access to first floor accommodation and an existing boundary wall and outbuilding will be demolished.

The council received one letter of objection from a local resident who was concerned that, with the creation of a dance floor, the pub would become a nightclub with late night revellers in the street.

Minehead Town Council recommended that the scheme be granted permission.

Planning officer Nigel Furze said: "The provision of ancillary music and dancing at a public house does not necessarily constitute a change of use of the premises.

"And due to the limited floor area shown on the plans for this type of use, there is no material change of use from a public house."

He added: "It is considered that the proposed alterations, particularly to The Avenue elevation, will represent a significant enhancement to the existing elevation and so permission is recommended."

l An application to demolish two workshops and garages in Watchet and create two homes was refused.

Planning officers had recommended that outline planning permission be granted but the committee went against the officials' views and turned down the proposal.

The site, which lies to the rear of properties in Anchor Street and Swain Street, is currently used as a boat repair storage area and small builders yard.

Watchet Town Council's view was that the application should be scrapped as it was felt there was insufficient information presented as well as the problems of access.

Highways authority WS Atkins wrote: "Access to the site is from Anchor Street close to its junction with Swain Street where visibility for emerging drivers is very limited and cannot be improved without the removal of buildings on one or both sides of the present opening.

"In view of these deficiencies, it is clearly desirable that any vehicular activity in and out of this access should be kept to an absolute minimum."

Planning officers regretted that there would a be a loss of employment land and a problem with the access but still felt it should be approved. Councillors disagreed and threw out the scheme.

l A controversial application to build a home at Green Acres, Weacombe Road, West Quantoxhead, was approved last Thursday.

Local residents attempted to persuade councillors at the meeting that the application should be refused but members could find no legal reason to agree with them.

There are already homes on the Green Acres site, which lies to west of the road linking the A39 and Bicknoller and Weacombe.

The houses are situated to the north, south and east of the site with open countryside to the west and elevated views towards Minehead which often attracts walkers.

Those opposed to the development argued that views would be lost if the house and garage was built and while councillors agreed they could not refuse the application on a planning issue.

Planning officer Steve Kirby said: "It is considered that the site represents an environmentally suitable infill plot and the design of the proposed dwelling, whilst modern in appearance, would not adversely affect the character of the area.

"It is accepted that the existing openness of the site allows pedestrians to 'take in' the view to the west. This is not, however, considered grounds to warrant rejecting the scheme."

l Magna West Somerset are set to build four homes on land to the rear of the vicarage next to Silvermead sheltered housing, Minehead.

Minehead Town Council recommended refusal on the grounds that it was an inappropriate development while the neighbourhood and site access were occupied and used by senior citizens and disabled residents.

Letters were received from residents arguing that their privacy would be lost and the homes would likely be occupied by families which could cause a disturbance to elderly residents.

Mr Furze said: "The layout and design of this development, with no material adverse effect on neighbours, is acceptable and there is no planning reasons to raise any objection to this proposal."

l The green light was given for a first floor extension to a house in Rangoon Road, Watchet and the erection of a bungalow and garage in Bircham Road, Alcombe.