PLANS for a new library for Tavistock are back on track after another company has been found to develop the £2-million project, to be constructed on the old Carr's Garage site in Plymouth Road.

West Devon Borough Council has chosen Devon and Cornwall Housing to take on the work after the package put together by a previous developer fell through.

David Inman, deputy chief executive of the council, confirmed the complex should be complete by autumn 2000.

'We hope to get on site in August, with a year's construction,' he said.

Harry Pearson, chairman of the council's planning and development committee, said: 'I think it will be a good deal for Tavistock. It's a very, very tight schedule, a very ambitious timescale — we are hoping for completion between July and September next year.'

The plans include a new library with an enlarged selection of books and improved IT facilities, and office accommodation for West Devon Homes, the new company which recently took over the borough's housing stock.

There will also be ten residential units of one and two bedroom flats facing the canal, with parking at the rear, built as part of West Devon Home's programme for sheltered accommodation in the borough.

The complex will be built around an open courtyard, with a pedestrian bridge across the canal near Meadowlands pool.

Mr Pearson said the architect's design echoed the styles of the buildings in the town and would be a 'credit to Tavistock'.

He said part of the council's long-term plans included converting the old Age Concern building into a visitor centre and expanding Meadowlands to include additional facilities such as a fitness suite, aerobics room and children's dry play area.

'We have got to get the history society involved, attract grants, find match funding — it's a vision really,' said Mr Pearson.

WestDen, the environmental charity which has just moved into the old Age Concern building by Tavistock canal, has the premises for a three-year lease from the borough.

County councillor Roy Cook who originally spearheaded the new library project was pleased at the news.

'Devon and Cornwall Housing are an extremely good company and naturally we are very pleased to be associated with them,' he said.

'As far as the county council is concerned the half-million pound package for the new library is intact and we are just waiting for West Devon to fire the gun to start the business off.'