DAMAGE to the Grade II Listed Pimple in Tavistock, which was deemed ‘dangerous’ to the public, has been fixed.

Concern was raised about the state of the Edwin Lutyens designed landmark on Whitchurch Down, after damage to the plywood covering the opening to the disused reservoir meant that inquisitive children or animals could get inside and possibly hurt themselves when doing so.

Following an article in the Times on July 12, West Devon Borough Council fixed a notice to the building warning the owner to take action to close the broken entrance by early August. If the owner failed to do so, the council would have had the power to board up the opening to make the building safe and then charge the cost back to the owner, who has remained anonymous since purchasing it several years ago.

But, the entrance has now been reboarded and made safe — and it seems that the elusive owner was the one to do so.

Leader of West Devon Borough Council Cllr Philip Sanders said: ‘We understand that The Pimple has now been boarded up again. These works were not carried out by West Devon Borough Council. An officer will visit the site shortly to ensure that the works are up to standard so that there is no risk to the public.’

Resident Donna Baker, who originally approached the Times with her concerns about the damage, said: ‘I’m sure many people are as pleased as I am to see that the access door to The Pimple has now been boarded up and is safe again. Well done to the Tavistock Times, who took up my previous letter and photograph and evidently nudged West Devon Borough Council into taking action and requiring the owners to repair the damage.

‘Can we now hope that The Pimple will be properly maintained in future, or maybe even returned to the town to care for, as are other historic buildings in the town?’

The Pimple is Lutyen’s smallest design barring a doll’s house for the royal family. The celebrated 20th century English architect also designed Castle Drogo and the London Cenotaph.