TAVISTOCK Meadows could be given a boost — if planners give the Tesco application the go ahead.

At a meeting of the full town council last week councillors were asked to decide on what should be included in a section 106 agreement if the store gets the go-ahead — a section 106 is an agreement between the developer and the borough council, which sets out the developer's financial contribution to improvements to the community.

Suggestions for the 106 money, which were put forward by a councillor, included interactive screens for the town, improvements to the Meadows, a 'pay on exit' scheme in Bedford Car Park, town centre signage and improvements to the Riverside walk.

Cllr Sue Bailey was keen for the money to be used to install 'pay on exit' facilities in the town's car park. She said: 'This is something that the business people have wanted for years.'

In support of Cllr Bailey's proposal, Cllr Harry Smith said he believed it would discourage the anti-social behaviour often experienced in Bedford Car Park.

Cllr John Sellis pointed out that having a 'pay on exit' scheme would need to have someone on stand-by at all times, in case the machines or barriers failed.

Agreeing with him, Cllr Dick Eberlie said: 'The pay on exit scheme would be an expensive process, not just for the installation but every day. It would be a considerable burden on whoever runs it.'

Cllr Brian Trew proposed that the money should be used to improve the Meadows: 'I would much rather see the money put towards the improvement of the Meadows, replacing fencing and the children's play area.

'Bedford Car Park is a money-making option. It's a commercial concern — the fact that BID and traders are interested shows that it is not a community thing. Okay, it may stop louts in the car parks when they shouldn't be, but this money is supposed to be used for the benefit of the community as a whole.'

Cllr Eberlie seconded Cllr Trew's proposal and the council voted in favour of the Meadows improvement.