PROJECT leaders of a proposed visitors? centre in Tavistock have hit back at claims that the building is ?unnecessary, ill conceived and historically insensitive?. A modern interpretation centre adjacent to the historic Guildhall Square? a gateway project for the World Heritage Mining Site of Cornwall and West Devon ? has been criticised for showing little or no sense of place. But the Tamar Valley Service, which is behind the scheme, feels the juxtaposition of the old should be seen as a positive rather than a negative addition to the town. Long term member of Tavistock History Society and author Alex Mettler said, in a letter to the Times, that he welcomed the granting of World Heritage Status but the town deserved better than this new building. ?It is proposed that this new building, which includes a toilet block, will be placed on the northern bank of the River Tavy presenting a clear face, including a view of the six toilet doors, to the historically most sensitive part of the town,? said Mr Mettler. ?To do this Market Road would be diverted to the north, this needless diversion itself costing tens of thousands of pounds of public money. ?It appears the project managers and some borough and town councillors are intent on rushing this project through with the minimum consultation and no public open debate.? But manager of the Tamar Valley Service Tim Selman said the project had been evolving for four years with a large amount of consultation through exhibitions, roadshows, forums, presentation and newsletters. He said: ?Guildhall Square offers one of the best places to interpret Tavistock. ?From the square, one can immediately get a sense of the influence of the Duke of Bedford; the buildings all around show the effect mining wealth had on the town. ?It also helps reinforce the beautiful river corridor, an underplayed asset the town possesses.? He said the building would help provide a service centre and focus for the town, combining toilets, visitor facilities, tourist information and interpretation about their surroundings. It would be situated outside the Tavistock Abbey Scheduled Ancient Monument Site. In answer to criticism that the centre was overly expensive Mr Selman said the project, estimated at £1-million, offered great value for money: ?If we are to produce something of lasting value, something iconic and something that this generation can be proud of to leave as a legacy within the Tavistock World Heritage Site, then we have to spend enough to get that sort of world class quality.?
