Planners are being recommended to approve the creation of a purpose-built smoking shelter within Looe's conservation area, despite objections from local residents. Caradon District Council's planning committee was due to consider the application relating to Tom Sawyer's Tavern in Marine Drive, West Looe, yesterday evening. Planning officers recommended approval of the proposals for the slate-roofed structure, to be supported by timber uprights, saying it would not give rise to overlooking of nearby properties and affect their privacy or light. Local residents, however, said the permanent building would affect views from their properties and cause a blind spot for traffic on the adjoining road. They also suggested the shelter would result in a noise nuisance, but planning officials said that as the area in question was already used for outdoor seating there was already an existing element of noise.