YOUR correspondent J Stackhouse (Letters, October 10) considers the Tavistock Town Council?s recent decision not to allow a vehicle display on Bedford Square to be ?illogical?. I can understand why this decision may appear inconsistent but there is a rationale behind it that I will try to explain.
1. Commercial use of the square. The plant nurseries who currently use the square are in fact pannier market traders who pay usual market rates. The square is being used to reduce congestion surrounding the pannier market and the plant displays provide the added bonus of making the square more attractive.
2. ?Community? use. Previous car shows on the square that the town council has supported have been an integral part of a long-established charity event (the Lions-led carnival), held once a year. Given the number of car dealers in the area, opening the square to unrestricted commercial car shows could result in frequent use for this purpose. The square was designed to be largely vehicle-free, though with access provided to service the town hall and pannier market.
The town council is facing something of a dilemma over priorities for booking of the square since it is becoming such a popular venue. A nice problem to have, but the council does appreciate that we need a more transparent policy on its use to avoid misunderstandings.
Cllr Peter Donkin
Chair of properties committee
Tavistock Town Council