Unlike an application for planning permission, the suitability of this site for such a development is not under consideration.  The Borough Council has to determine whether, as a matter of fact, the building has been constructed and used as a residential dwelling for a sufficient period of time for a Certificate of Lawfulness to be granted.  Normally, this is for a minimum period of four years.

Such Certificates are used by planning authorities to regularise situations where development has taken place without planning permission.  If the conditions for the granting of any Certificate are not met, a planning authority could then consider taking action to have the development concerned removed.

If you have any knowledge of this building, ideally in the form of evidence that can indicate when it was completed or first used as a dwelling, it can help to support or refute this application. In which case, please would you email the Case Management Team at dm@westdevon.gov.uk, or write to them at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, PL19 0BZ, before the 9th February.

The plans and other details can be viewed online at  4184/16/CLE on the Borough Council's Planning website.