FEARS that an important historic building situated at the birthplace of the town’s most famous resident – Sir Francis Drake – may be lost through neglect have been raised by local historians and residents.

The Grade II listed barn at Crowndale Farm on Crowndale Road, which forms an important piece of Tavistock’s agricultural history, has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Several years ago trustees of the barn, which was part of one of the Duke of Bedford’s model farms, were given listed building consent to secure the building with a temporary roof but no action was taken. At that time the barn had suffered substantial water penetration.

The farm itself dates from before the 16th century and was the birthplace of Tavistock’s favourite seafarer Sir Francis Drake. His parents, Edmund and Mary, were tenant farmers who leased the property from Francis, second Earl of Bedford. The ruins of the farmhouse where Sir Francis Drake was born still lie at Crowndale Farm to this day.

The barn’s history pre-dates the Tavistock Canal of 1817. The canal follows the old farm’s leat that went to feed the agricultural wheel at Crowndale Barn — it was the biggest agricultural wheel on the length of the canal.

The demise of the barn has upset and angered many local historians and members of the public.

Historian Simon Dell, who is the chairman of the Tavistock Historic Society, leads guided canal walks past the Crowndale Wharf and Crowndale Farm.

He said: ‘The building where the mill wheel was located is in a regrettable state of benign neglect and it now seems that the neglect shown to that important piece of Tavistock’s agricultural history has taken a turn for the worse by collapsing and it’s at risk of further collapse.

‘I am aware it’s a Grade II Listed building and should have received more sensitive attention.

‘A fantastic piece of restoration is that of Fitzford Gate House which the current owners must be congratulated for as it is an iconic building — and I would rate the mill barn at Crowndale Farm as another iconic building which is now at risk of being lost.’

Devon county councillor Debo Sellis expressed her concerns over the barn’s ‘sorry state’.

‘I was asked if I could help and I was very concerned about some of the information I was given. I contacted the conservation officer and the county archaeologist and asked for their advice.

‘I appreciate the relevance of the building and wondered if the officers are able to work with the owners or trustees to bring the building back up to standard.’

When approached by the Times, one of the building’s trustees, Rex Buscombe, said: ‘We are aware that the roof has collapsed and the matter is receiving attention.’

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said: ‘Our role as a statutory enforcement agency means that we work with owners of listed buildings to make sure that properties are kept in a good state of repair. Only if negotiations fail, do we use our powers of enforcement. 

‘We have a range of statutory enforcement powers such as Urgent Works or Repairs Notices amongst a range of other tools to protect the future of our historic buildings.

‘However, it would not be appropriate for us to discuss individual cases which are currently being investigated.’