THE chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority Nigel Hoskin said he had driven through Widecombe-in-the-Moor that morning and saw 'more chalk board signs than you get in Grange Hill'. His comment came during discussions on an application by Hall and Woodhouse Ltd for advertisement consent for various signs at the Old Inn, Widecombe. A recommendation of refusal by officers for the various signs was changed. Senior planning officer Christopher Hart said that after discussions and negotiations with the applicant, in which it had been agreed that an inappropriate gallows sign at the rear car park was removed from the proposals, the recommendation was now one of consent. He told the committee that the application involved the replacement of the existing signage which would now be in line with the company's new signs. Widecombe Parish Council had objected, maintaining there were too many unnecessary signs and those proposed were too large and out of place in the conservation area. Mike Jeffery said he agreed with the council and he believed the application should be refused. Mr Hart explained that all the signing on the front elevation was replacing what was there now with different style signs. 'There is an entrance to the rear of the Old Inn which is poorly signed. They are trying to get people to recognise where the entrance is. 'They are fairly small signs. There will be two free standing signs at either side of the rear entrance and simple signs in the main car park saying "cars parked at owners risk",' he said. Deputy chairman Maurice Retallick asked Mr Hart if there had been a reaction from the council on the amendments. He replied that he had only received the revised plans two days previously and had not had chance to get back to the council. Members gave consent, along with listed building consent, subject to there being no new comments on the revised plans from the council.
