AN appeal for information to residents in the Tavistock area was issued this week, following a meeting in the town. The town council has been investigating usage of Whitchurch Down by various clubs and community groups for some time, in connection with a proposed ?landswap? involving Tavistock Golf Club. During the course of the investigations, Cllr Brian Trew, chairman of the council?s Whitchurch Down sub-committee, has been delving into vast reams of paperwork in order to try and find lease details regarding clubs that used the moor. He said the matter was extremely complicated ? it involved miniscule, peppercorn rents of sums like ?two shillings and sixpence?, conflicting rights with commoners, and an out of court settlement between the Bedford Estate, which previously owned Whitchurch Down, and Whitchurch Commoners. Cllr Trew said his investigations had raised ?serious issues? regarding the proposed landswap. In a paper to the council?s properties committee, he said: ?Our solicitor valued this land, as a golf practice area, at a possible rent of £3,000 pa. He said he had been sorting through ?boxes and boxes? of paperwork which had not been classified by date or by type. ?It?s not a five-minute job,? said Cllr Trew, who appealed to the public for help. ?It would be good to hear from anyone who has knowledge of any agreement that was made between Whitchurch Commoners and the Bedford Estate regarding the various clubs that were given leases on this land,? said Cllr Trew. Anyone with information is asked to contact the town council on 01822 613529.
