A PLAQUE commemorating a piece of Tavistock's history has gone on display at the town's newest housing development.

The blue plaque has been positioned on the wall of Foundry Mews, an old iron foundry that has transformed into contemporary apartments and houses by Cavanna Homes.

The plaque says that: 'In this area Tavistock Iron Works, the town's first iron foundry, operated between the first and last decades of the nineteenth century.

'The building was then converted into a wool combing factory which closed in 1965.'

The building in Parkwood Road, which is Grade II listed, and the surrounding land, has been converted into a mix of refurbished and new build properties. These range from one and two bedroom apartments in the original foundry building to brand new two, three and four bedroom homes.

Jonathan Cavanna from Cavanna Homes said: 'It is always a challenge, and a pleasure, working with historic buildings such as this, and we are very pleased with this development.

'We have taken great care with the old foundry building to ensure it is beautifully refurbished throughout to an exceptional standard.

'The apartments in the old building itself are designed to incorporate the original curved top windows which give the properties a wonderful sense of light, space and style.

'We are a company with a very strong sense of our own history and heritage, and our Devon roots, and particularly enjoy working with historic sites within the county in order to secure their future for the next generation.'

The building was established in Tavistock in 1804, and known first as the Mount Foundry Iron Works, then after 1818 as the Tavistock Iron Works.

From 1965 until more recent decades the site was used as a garden centre and builder's yard.

The plaque was put up by Tavistock Town Council as part of an initiative to mark 50 historic buildings in the town with similar blue markers, funded with a £5,000 grant from the Countryside Agency. 

Roger Howard, town clerk said: 'We are grateful to Cavanna Homes for the company's assistance in marking the old iron foundry as a heritage building, and hope the blue plaque would help the new residents to better appreciate the local historic value of their homes.'