MARVELLOUS! ? that was the reaction this week to news that a work of art commemorating the 900th anniversary of the granting of Tavistock?s market charter can finally be erected ? it follows an 18-month planning wrangle. The ceramic tree was chosen by public vote at the beginning of a year of celebrations in 2005 and was due to be erected at Court Gate Chambers in Bedford Square. But the project ground to a halt when West Devon Borough Council refused planning permission, saying the tree would be detrimental to the character of the Listed building. Furious at the refusal, Tavistock Town Council, on behalf of the town?s charter group, appealed. This week, following a site inspection earlier this month, a planning inspector backed the council and granted consent. Inspector Barton said: ?I consider the design and materials of the tree would be in keeping with the local Hurdwick stone and would not detract from any of the Listed building?s architectural or historic features. ?Indeed, I consider it would help viewers understand the buildings in the area through its commemoration of important historic events in the town. ?In my view, the artwork would preserve the character of the Listed building and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.? Iain Andrews, chairman of the charter group and of the town council?s properties committee, said: ?It?s absolutely wonderful, really good news. The inspector appeared really positive when we met him. ?Rosie, the artist, made a very detailed submission and I think that helped to win the day. ?It?s been a long battle to try and put in place something that the people of Tavistock fully supported and I am very pleased the planning inspector recognised the importance of the installation.? Cllr Andrews said the council?s works department would be liaising with artist Rosie Fierek about fixing the tree to the building without harming it ? these details also have to approved by West Devon?s planning officers as a condition of planning consent. The tree will be about three-and-a-half metres in height and made from stoneware, with glazes made from copper and tin. The trunk will include tiers of history, working up from the base. Among the boughs will hang fruits depicting different aspects of present-day Tavistock, which children from the town?s schools have helped design. It will be fixed to the wall of the single-storey Court Gate Chambers in Bedford Square. Rosie Fierek said she was ?delighted? at the news. ?It?s taken a long, long time and it?s been very frustrating waiting, never quite knowing what the outcome was going to be, but always keeping hopeful. ?Now I know what the setting is going to be, I can get on with drawing out the proportions to the exact size ? my pencil is poised!? The tree will be erected on the wall facing Bedford Square. West Devon planning officer Ed Persse said: ?The inspector has looked at it in terms of the policies and planning guidance and that?s all you can expect from him. ?He has taken the view that the artwork would preserve the character of the Listed bulding and character and appearance of the conservation area. ?That?s fair enough, we have no problem with this ? sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.? It is hoped the artwork will be in situ in approximately three to four months.
