IT'S full steam ahead for plans to create much needed car parking spaces in Tavistock. The project to create a car park on unmade land Tavistock Town Council owns in Pixon Lane was given the go-ahead by the properties committee last week — despite a slight change to the original plan of 109 spaces, one works depot and two rentable units. Councillors heard that 39 spaces out of the proposed 109 could be lost as a rectangular grassy area of land will remain leased to the scouts — the scout group wants to keep the area, as it uses it for tent pitching and cooking. Members heard there were three options on the table. The first would see the council giving the scouts notice to end their lease next year, the lease expiring in March 2010. The second was to end plans to build a new depot and rentable units and concentrate on car parking slots on all the land that was available. They decided upon a third option, which was to leave the scouts' area alone and build the new depot and rentable units. The cost to the council of the car park work alone would be sustainable, provided the car park was 100% used. Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'If we go for option three we would have our own depot and as the employment industry is not very plentiful in the Tavistock area we would be creating employment land.' Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'It is important to keep the scout hut present as it has been there for decades — I move for option three.' Cllr Brian Trew said: 'We owe it to the people of the town to do something with the area.' Town clerk Roger Howard said plans to avoid the outcome of losing 39 spaces were being drawn up and would hopefully result in parking for 80 to 100 vehicles. The decision was due to be ratified by the full council at its meeting on Tuesday.
