A TOTAL of £85,000 has now been allocated by West Devon Borough Council towards Tavistock town centre improvements.

Members of the resources committee at West Devon Borough Council heard last Tuesday that decisions needed to be made as to where and for what purpose the money was to be allocated.

Up to £70,000 had been agreed to be provided by Marchfield Properties Ltd as a contribution towards improvements to public spaces in the town centre. These funds will be provided prior to the occupation of the supermarket development in Plymouth Road under a Section 106 agreement. Up to a further £15,000 is available for signage improvements in association with the Townscape Heritage of Tavistock.

Following the Stage 2 approval of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme (THI) in September by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the committee heard it was now 'essential' to secure all the funding needed to allow the scheme to start. In addition, the Section 106 funds could assist the scheme and proposals by the Tavistock Business Improvement District for the introduction of a pay-on-exit scheme for Bedford Car Park.

Economic development officer at WDBC Robert Plumb said in a report to councillors: 'The borough council will shortly be in receipt of these funds and therefore in a position to decide how they might be utilised.'

Members heard three recommendations: to set aside £40,000 from the town centre improvements contribution under the Section 106 agreement with Marchfield Properties Ltd, as a contribution towards public realm works under the Tavistock THI scheme; to set aside a further £15,000 from the townscape heritage contribution towards signage improvements in Tavistock town centre relating to the townscape heritage; that £30,000 be set aside as a contribution towards the pay-on-exit scheme for the Bedford Car Park.

But, Mr Plumb said: 'In the event of the pay-on-exit scheme for Bedford Car Park not going ahead within the timescale of the current Tavistock BID scheme, then the remaining £30,000 under the town centre improvements should be made available as a further funding contribution towards the Tavistock THI scheme.'

Councillors heard the recommendations and all agreed in favour of the terms.

Chairman of the committee and leader of West Devon Borough Council Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'I am delighted that the money, from Section 106 with Marchfield Properties, is able to make significant changes to the town centre in heritage terms and improve signage to assist visitors.'

l The Tavistock THI Scheme was a partnership with local councils, businesses and community groups, co-ordinated by the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership and administered by Tavistock Town Council. In September it was heard a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of almost £1-million was awarded — bid for by the town's heritage partnership.

The HLF grant will be matched by an equal amount from the HLF's THI programme which helps communities improve the built historic environment to stimulate economic regeneration for the benefit of local residents, workers and visitors.