THE controversial scheme to change the face of Tavistock's Bedford Square will start next month — and that's official.

Despite passionate opposition by anti-change campaigners, Devon County Council's environment committee on Tuesday agreed the scheme should go ahead.

Tavistock's county councillor Roy Cook took the unusual step of using a standing order to highlight the results of the privately-funded poll which revealed substantial opposition to the scheme, but councillors voted the project should go ahead.

Mr Cook said: 'The county council literally looked at the difference between a non-legal referendum and the legal democratic process, and they voted for the democratic process.'

Mr Cook said he felt the Referendum Group which organised the poll made two mistakes.

'They should have held their poll immediately after the partnership committee in June and they should have involved the Electoral Reform Society.

'If they had done this their result would have gained more credence, especially at County Hall.'

Mr Cook said contracts for the work would be awarded as soon as possible.

'Time is of the essence because I want the work finished before the tourist season starts,' he said.

Referendum Group founder Roger Mathew said: 'I am disappointed that our county councillor has seen fit to discount the clear view of 73 per cent of our electorate.'

Harry Pearson, chairman of the Bedford Square working party was delighted at the news.

'I think common sense and the democratic process has prevailed and the work on the Square can now go ahead,' he said.

Suggestions for lighting, management and access in the new -look Bedford Square were presented to the town council last week by county council officer John Halliday.

He said the square could be lit with two floodlights at either end of the town hall, with the building illuminated from the crenelations and suggested a booking system for use of the square.

Access through the Guildhall car park, owned by the town council, remains the most sensitive point and Mr Halliday agreed a detailed plan would be forwarded to the council for next week's meeting.

The £380,000 enhancement scheme mainly involves extending the paved area in front of the town hall at the expense of parking and reducing traffic lanes to two.