HISTORIC Court Gate Cottage in Tavistock could become the focus for the town?s young people, after an exciting new project received backing from the town council this week.

The move follows an approach by Tavistock College youth education director John Collacott who said the town?s youth council was interested in the vacant building next to the town?s Victorian police station.

He said the Tavistock Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTI) steering group was awarded £3,000 to enable the youth council to undertake a feasibility study and business plan for such a youth centre.

Mr Collacott said: ?This could be exactly what Tavistock needs. I think we have to look forward and make sure we engage with young people, for the long-term good of them and the community.

?It?s early days, but I understand the museum is considering moving to Court Gate itself, which is immediately above the subscription library.

?I certainly think it would be mutually beneficial for the young people to become involved in work with both the museum and the library and get some young blood involved with them.?

Mr Collacott said a survey of young people in the town carried out by youth council members revealed a real desire for a ?drop-in? style town centre base.

He said the youth council would be very much part of the production of a business plan for the project.

There were ?no preconceived ideas? about how the venture would run, but he was ?very optimistic? the new centre would come to fruition.

Joint initiatives between the youth council and students using the teen cafe could include the following:

l a photographic exhibition in memory of former Times photographer and Court Gate Cottage resident Jim Thorington

l community service with the museum as part of the Duke of Edinburgh?s award scheme or youth achievement awards

l the museum, subscription library and Tavistock College working on a town heritage project.

Mr Collacott said it was ?good news? the council was being supportive.

?The youngsters are really keen to get going now,? he said.

Cllr Peter Donkin, chairman of the town council?s properties committee, told last week?s meeting that the project had been approved by the South West Regional Development Agency.

He said it had become apparent from the MCTI consultation day last year that a teen café/drop in centre for young people was desperately needed in the town.

Cllr Donkin said: ?Clearly, they need a location. They have this money, or they will have it relatively soon, and really they need to know whether we would be prepared for them to investigate this location for a youth café.?

Cllr Judith Williams proposed the council backed the scheme ?in principle?, but instructed the council?s agents to draw up costings as to the rentable value of Court Gate Cottage which is grade two listed.

?We need to know the financial indications for the council,? she said.

Sue Davies, secretary of Tavistock Museum, said: ?I am sure this could be a good idea, if it?s properly organised.

?Certainly. if we can think of ways in which they could get more involved, the museum would be very pleased to welcome any sort of assistance.?

John Davies, chairman of Tavistock Subscription Library, said: ?We would be prepared to co-operate with them if they are working in a responsible and reasonable way.

?The difficulty is that the subscription library is for members and access is restricted to them, but we could always arrange something for specific projects.?

The youth council was due to meet last night (Wednesday) to discuss taking the feasibility study and business plan for the teen cafe forward.

It is envisaged it will be undertaken during the next few months, to be completed by the end of the financial year on March 31 2003.