A £15-MILLION plan which would transform Callington town centre is to be re-investigated, after town councillors last week decided to accept the offer of a free feasibility study. The ideas by developers J & E Regan and Crowe, Caylor and Partners, which include building a new town hall and pannier market complex with a mix of retail units, offices and accommodation, were rejected by the town council earlier this year because they were considered unsuitable. Issues over parking and the cost of the development, despite claims that the project would not cost the Callington taxpayers a penny, have concerned members of Callington Town Council, many of whom remain sceptical about the scheme. But following an exhibition of the plans by Cllr Chris Thomas during his election campaign and much discussion in the town for and against the scheme, chairman of the town hall and premises committee, Roger Ellard, told fellow councillors last week 'it was clear the issue of a feasibility study was not going to go away'. Cllr Thomas, who is spearheading the plans, said he believed a redevelopment of the town hall and pannier market was what the community wanted. Cllr Thomas said in the town plan, people said they wanted bigger and better shops and the ideas that had been proposed would include 17 new retail units. The developers, who have carried out similar schemes in Hayle and Redruth, had offered a free feasibility study to see if the project was viable, but the council was under no obligation to accept the plans, he said. 'These are just ideas and the study will tell us if they are possible. 'We could have a drop-in centre for the youth, a function room, a cinema or a theatre — we can say what happens there,' he said. Plans for the complex include 42 extra care housing units on the first floor of the pannier market, with retail space underneath. The town council would retain ownership of the ground floor units and the town hall building. It has been suggested that underground parking could be provided. There is currently a funding application in for a £250,000 grant to improve access and facilities in the hall which has succeeded to the first stage. Cllr Ellard said: 'What is going on with the town hall complex at the moment is what is being asked for by the users — they never said they wanted a venue for wedding receptions . 'We have had no clear mandate from the people of Callington that this redevelopment plan is what they want. There is no new town hall in the town plan.' Cllr Sue Nettle said: 'There is not enough business to sustain two shops of the same kind and shopkeepers have come to me saying please do not let it happen. 'We have had such a lovely lot of shops in Callington in the past but they have disappeared because people go to Plymouth.' Portreeve Andrew Long said he was in favour of improving the town but he believed the plan had 'no legs', because it put the economics of building before the regeneration of the town. It was agreed to invite the developers to a meeting of the town hall and premises committee next month to discuss the ground rules for the study, including carrying out an assessment of the proposed commercial premises and a mining survey to see if underground parking was possible.
