THE Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock will officially open a £1.6 million development in their namesake town on Tuesday August 7.

Lord Tavistock will mark the opening ceremony of the Quay in Plymouth Road, by unveiling a Dartmoor granite mooring stone on the site.

He will also dedicate a 20-foot long mural made by students at Tavistock College.

The Quay complex runs alongside Tavistock Canal and includes offices, housing and a new library for the town. It has been built by Plymouth-based Hill and Lang and is a partnership project between West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Housing, West Devon Homes and Capita Business Services Ltd.

As well as a new library — which is three times larger than its former premises — the Quay also provides new offices for housing association West Devon Homes, home improvement agency West Devon Care and Repair, and Capita, the firm running West Devon

Borough Council's revenue and benefits services.

Ten new homes at affordable rents for local people have been built for West Devon Homes to the rear of the complex.

A new bridge across the Canal and a pedestrian walkway now links the Quay with the Wharf arts centre, Meadowlands pool, and the Meadows.

The Quay was built on the former Carr's Garage site and was completed in Spring 2001.

The Mayor of West Devon Cllr Robin Pike, who is hosting the official opening with more than 60 invited guests, said he was delighted that the project had at last come to fruition.

'The Quay is the result of a great deal of work from many people working behind the scenes.

'It is an ideal example of just what can be achieved through working in partnership,' he said.

'We are thrilled that Lord and Lady Tavistock have agreed to officially open the building and it is a fitting tribute to all those who have made this project possible.'