TAVISTOCK could become a ?dead town? if buildings in prime locations in the town did not evolve to encourage more retail usage. The stark warning, from Cllr Dick Eberlie, was delivered to West Devon?s planning committee last week.
The warning came as councillors last week rejected a proposal to install two new shop fronts on a mid-19th Century listed building in the centre of Tavistock to encourage major retailers to take up the unoccupied retail space.
Cllr Eberlie, Conservative group leader on the borough, urged the council to support the application to ensure Tavistock stayed an ?alive, vibrant and prosperous? retail area.
?We don?t want Tavistock turning into a dead town with half a dozen more estate agents and antique shops. We want a lively shopping area. I?m quite certain that Tavistock needs more and better shops,? he said.
Other councillors decided the economic benefits of an increased retail floor area did not outweigh the need for conservation of the historic building in Duke Street.
The proposal, by London-based developers Park Green Development, was to remove the existing front wall of the two units on 1 Duke Street, the former Lloyds TSB bank, and replace it with two new shop fronts and two new doors and high level glazing surrounds. The existing door would have been retained and used as an entrance for the proposed flats above. The property is located in the Tavistock Conservation Area and is Grade II listed.
Planning chairman Cllr Roger Mathew said: ?The key issue is whether what?s being proposed will conserve or enhance the appearance of this listed building in a conservation area. My own view is that it would not.?
Cllr Mathew said he did not believe the vitality of Tavistock was under threat and he said the fact the appearance of other buildings in Duke Street had been compromised made it even more important to keep the original and unaltered facade of the building intact.
But Cllr Christine Grills said the attractive design was an improvement on having the building remain empty any longer.
Steve Thompson, a partner in London-based developers Park Green Developments, spoke to the committee about their proposal. He said local support for the scheme was demonstrated by the fact there had been virtually no objection from townspeople and the town council had supported the scheme.
He said the shop had been vacant for four years, and getting in a major retailer would bring vitality to Duke Street.
?Our building currently presents a dead retail frontage when it could well be the ?gateway? to the retail core of Tavistock. Retailers are only interested in taking space if they are able to have shop fronts. We are presently in discussion with a number of multiple retailers who would consider Duke Street, but only on condition that they have proper shop fronts similar to the design submitted by us.?
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Thompson said he was ?disappointed?.
?I might come back to them with a slightly different proposal. I?m not sure what we are going to do next, but it is a prime location,? said Mr Thompson.