A ‘NEGLECTED’ Grade II Listed barn in Tavistock is undergoing significant works to protect the historical structure for future generations.

In September, the Times ran a story about a barn at Crowndale Farm on Crowndale Road — known as the birthplace of the town’s most famous son Sir Francis Drake — that had fallen into disrepair labelled as ‘benign neglect’.

Crowndale Farm is also one of the Duke of Bedford’s model farms.

But around eight years ago the barn’s roof had fallen into a state of disrepair with substantial water penetration.

An application was put in by trustees of the property to West Devon Borough Council to place a temporary roof on the two-storey barn.

Listed building consent, valid for five years, was awarded in February 2012 but no action was taken to secure the building.

The farm itself dates from before the 16th century and was the birth place of Tavistock’s favourite seafarer Sir Francis Drake.

His parents, Edmund and Mary, were tenant farmers who leased the property from Francis, second Earl of Bedford. The ruins of the farmhouse where Sir Francis Drake was born still lie at Crowndale Farm to this day.

The demise of the barn upset and angered many local historians and members of the public.

But now, after instruction from West Devon Borough Council, scaffolding is in place to provide a protective covering to ensure the asset is protected and conserved.

A spokesperson from West Devon Borough Council said: ‘An officer has visited Crowndale Farm, Tavistock, and observed that scaffolding works are well underway that will support a protective covering for the Listed building.

‘These works are not being carried out by West Devon Borough Council but are being done in response to a request from the council.

‘Once the protective structure is in place our heritage specialist will continue discussions with the owner to ensure that this heritage asset is protected and conserved for the future.’

Chairman of Tavistock History Society Simon Dell, who was concerned that the iconic building was at risk of being lost, said that he was delighted works were being undertaken to preserve the building: ‘I am delighted that remedial work is being done to alleviate the deterioration of an historic building.’

The barn’s history pre-dates Tavistock Canal of 1817. The canal follows the old farm’s leat that went to feed the agricultural wheel at Crowndale Barn — the biggest such wheel on the canal.