THE group which commissioned a public work of art to commemorate the 900th anniversary of Tavistock market charter says it is ?furious? that planning consent for the piece has been refused. Tavistock Charter Group hoped to place the artwork, a tree made up of coloured ceramic tiles, on a wall near Court Gate. Town Cllr Iain Andrews, chairman of the Charter Group, said: ?We are absolutely incensed that the wishes of the people of Tavistock are being over-ridden by bureaucrats from another place. ?We can?t believe it. The people of Tavistock chose this mosaic, they knew where it was going to be because that was part of the artist?s presentation, and I think they were looking forward to being able to see it in Bedford Square.? Cllr Andrews said the wall on which the group wished to mount the artwork was not Grade I Listed. ?We are talking about a flat-roofed extension to the listed building ? we thought we were going to actually enhance that building but we?ve been turned down with a flat ?No?, with no compromise or explanation.? The planning application was submitted by Tavistock Town Council on behalf of the Charter Group. The group is to meet artist Rosie Fierek and intends to appeal against the decision. The tree mosaic, detailing Tavistock?s history on its trunk, was chosen during a competition in March. Four local artists submitted designs for a public work of art to commemorate 900 years of charter markets in Tavistock. After an exhibition, around 800 members of the public voted for their favourite, with Rosie?s tree topping the poll. Rosie said she was ?very disappointed? at the news: ?The brief was that it had to be in a prominent position and to celebrate the market. The design I created is all about the history of the town and in my mind, it would be enhancing the building, not detracting from it. ?I?m very disappointed and I still think it?s the right place for it. It?s about the market ? people voted for it on that premise. It was done democratically.? Rosie said children from Tavistock College, Tavistock Primary School and St Peter?s School had all completed their designs for the ?fruits? on the tree, which depicted aspects of present-day Tavistock. The trunk of the tree will feature aspects of the town?s history. ?It was all supposed to be done by now, but now I?m in limbo ? I just want to get on with it,? she said. Edward Persse, West Devon Borough Council planning officer, said the application was rejected on grounds the artwork would adversely affect the character and appearance of the listed building. The decision was taken following advice from the borough?s conservation officer ? informal comment was also received from English Heritage, which backed his view. Mr Persse said: ?It?s the fact they wanted to physically attach this mosaic to the listed building that is the problem. ?We would certainly be open to discussion before they go down the route of appeal. We have granted consent for a free-standing mosaic in the pannier market, which is also a listed building.?
