AN ambitious new £1-million heritage centre could create an exciting landmark in Tavistock ? if the town council gives the scheme the go-ahead. The centre would provide a gateway to the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage site, the proposed Cornwall and West Devon World Heritage site and Dartmoor National Park ? but would require the re-routing of Market Road, owned by the town council. Tim Selman, of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project, which has secured more than £6-million worth of funding for the area so far, last week told councillors the scheme was a huge opportunity for Tavistock. Mr Selman said the original £350,000 plan had been to build an interpretation centre on the site of the Guildhall toilets, incorporating new public conveniences. But following archaeological investigations, it appeared part of the old Tavistock Abbey was beneath the site, which created complications. In addition, West Devon Borough Council was keen to see a tourist information office within the new heritage centre. This helped with revenue costs, but meant the site was not big enough, said Mr Selman. ?Market Road was made in the 19th century, so there isn?t a problem there archaeologically. ?It would be possible to place a new building right on the edge of the river, almost overlooking it, and re-route the road over the current toilet site,? he said. The new building would include public conveniences, a tourist information centre and an interpretation centre covering Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley. ?We really truly want something great to happen in Tavistock, we want to build something exciting that will stand the test of time,? said Mr Selman. Tom Fletcher, project manager, said they were currently working with many organisations, including the Environment Agency, archaeologists and the highways department ? there would be extensive consultation with the town council and the people of Tavistock regarding the scheme. ?We are at a stage where we are investigating this site slightly further away from the Guildhall, mainly because to have a small-scale development isn?t looking like it would be feasible long-term,? he said. Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: ?I think this sounds really exciting and absolutely brilliant. ?This is an opportunity for Tavistock, this building would be like a gateway as people come in from Okehampton. We are very fortunate that you have accessed a lot of money so we can do something that would be really good and put Tavistock on the map.? Cllr Norma Woodcock said the town council was in a privileged position to be right at the centre of a major, exciting development to take the town into the 21st century. She urged councillors not to be ?petty-minded? about the changes that would be required to see the project through and to keep an open mind. ?It?s going to be appropriate, functional and meet the needs of the people. Please come back to us with more detail, so we can look at it in every possible way, positively, at the same time safe-guarding the community here,? she said. Deputy mayor Cllr Caroline Keane said the council should ?grasp the nettle? and back what could be an imaginative and creative development for the town. Some councillors voiced fears a new building might make a ?white elephant? out of the present Guildhall ? others were concerned the project team had not consulted with the council early enough about the plans. But they agreed that if necessary an extraordinary meeting could be arranged once detailed plans had been drawn up, so the project?s progress would not be delayed. Extensive consultation regarding the building will take place during the coming months, with a view to obtaining planning consent later this year.
