AN application to carry out extensive repair works on the ceilings of Tavistock Town Hall has been withdrawn, pending further investigative work.

The lathe and plaster ceiling in the historic building needs replacing after some panels collapsed towards the end of last year.

A ?net? has been installed as a temporary measure, which means the hall is perfectly safe to be used.

But the town council is faced with what could be an extremely expensive bill if it is forced to use traditional lathe and plaster to replace the ceiling of the grade two listed building.

Councillors at their meeting last week backed withdrawing a planning application to replace the ceiling with modern materials.

They heard that West Devon?s conservation officer and ancient buildings watchdog English Heritage recommended refusal of planning consent.

Additionally, the planning report stated that ?no satisfactory reason? was given for using modern materials except expense.

Cllr Judith Williams said there were far wider implications than purely the expense of using traditional lathe and plaster.

She said the extra time taken in labour and of closure of the building and consequential loss of income should also be taken into account.

Cllr Williams said: ?I feel we should produce further information. There is no cost to resubmit the plans and I propose further reports be prepared.?

Cllr Norma Woodcock said: ?I cannot accept the implication that in not seeking to use lathe and plaster we are not safeguarding our heritage.

?We need to recognise that it was put up in a building when there was no central heating, or the rough and tumble of the present day.?

Cllr Woodcock said the council had a duty to seek further professional advice on modern and possibly better alternative materials and said even the conservation officer admitted no-one would be able to tell the difference when looking at the ceiling.

?As far as I am aware we don?t even know anyone who does lathe and plaster any more. We would be getting into the situation when we have a ceiling that can?t be maintained locally,? said Cllr Woodcock.

And Cllr Betty Batchelor urged that officers from English Heritage should be brought back to help in the matter.

The council agreed to seek further professional advice on replacing the ceiling before resubmitting the application within the next six months.