RE-DEVELOPMENT may still be on the cards for the Old Folks' Rest Room in Tavistock now that an application to give the building listed status has been turned down. The future of the Brook Street building has been in doubt for the past year after plans by its owners, Huntstrete Estates, to demolish the rest room and replace it with a two-storey retail unit. Rest room supporters soon began campaigning to preserve the rest room for its present use — and Tavistock Town Council applied to English Heritage for the building to be Grade 2 Listed. In September, the campaigners' hard work seemed to have paid off when the owners withdrew their planning application. But members of Tavistock Town Council heard the 'disappointing' news at a full council meeting last Tuesday that the building, which was built in 1953, will not receive Listed status. Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'When the owners of the land decide to develop the rest room there is nothing we can do. 'If it was Listed we could have stopped the area from being developed but English Heritage don't think it is worthy of listing.' The report by the historic buildings watch-dog said the rest room was not of 'special' architectural or historic interest and should not be Listed. An operations co-ordinator from English Heritage said: 'Sadly, the Old Folks' Rest Room does not possess a high degree of architectural quality or distinctiveness. There is some interest in the facade but the building lacks innovation in design or form. 'While of clear local interest as a building which makes a strong contribution to the streetscape and Tavistock community, it lacks the special architectural or historic interest, in a national context, required to warrant Listing.' Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'This is very disappointing, and indeed, surprising news, especially when you see the relatively modern and often quite ordinary buildings which do get listed. 'Clearly this makes it more likely that an application to develop the site will be made — although not inevitable. Should that happen though, I see no reason why the concerted efforts of the community — of all ages — cannot resist it successfully, as happened last year.' Tavistock mayor Anne Johnson said: 'I am disappointed, but not surprised that English Heritage have turned down the application to list the Old Folks Rest Room. 'The council will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with the Old Folks' Rest Room management committee to try and ensure there is somewhere for senior members of our community to meet and rest.'