A MULTI-MILLION pound extension to West Devon Borough Council's Tavistock offices was this week given the thumbs up by councillors. The self-financing business project will see new offices to rent, improved meeting areas for the community and a 'one-stop shop' for West Devon people. Building work is expected to start next month on two separate two-storey extensions at West Devon's Kilworthy Park premises. At its meeting on Monday, the council was told the £3.9 million development was a rarity in public construction as it will be built at no cost to the council taxpayer. One extension will be a commercial rental block bringing more employment opportunities to West Devon. The other extension will include several new meeting areas, which will provide flexible and up to the minute facilities for the community and a first-rate conference venue. The proposed sale of the council's Oaklands Drive office site in Okehampton, which has been earmarked for much needed sheltered housing for the elderly, will help finance the project. West Devon Mayor Cllr Ken Williams said: 'This is a very exciting cost effective development which will take West Devon Borough Council into the 21st century and bring prosperity and new employment opportunities.' The development will include exciting sustainable and energy efficient measures such as photovoltaic cells on the roofs to produce electricity, storing rainwater to be used for toilet facilities and innovative gas fuelled boilers which recover heat and reuse it. The new build will transform the borough's reception into a one-stop shop, to make it much easier and quicker for people to take up West Devon's services. A small area of offices is being provided alongside the new one stop shop so that council officers are readily available to the public. The new council chamber will have a dual purpose as a conference centre and it is hoped this will bring new visitors to West Devon and benefit the local economy. The building work is expected to be completed in Spring 2008.
