A LAST-DITCH attempt to block the controversial enhancement scheme for Tavistock's Bedford Square was launched this week.

Leading opponent Councillor Roger Mathew called on residents to lobby a European Commissioner to withdraw funding for the proposed changes — due to start this month.

But the strategy has been described as potentially 'catastrophic' for West Devon's Euro funding.

Mr Mathew, who serves on the town and West Devon Borough councils, and spearheaded a privately-funded referendum which resulted in substantial opposition to the scheme, is appealing to opponents to write to Brussels in the 'faint hope' that European grants earmarked for the project can be withdrawn.

He said: 'If a large proportion of those who voted no in the referendum would write to the relevant Eurocrat, asking him to withhold the money, it might just persuade him to act.

'It so happens I know the name and address of the right man. It is Vittorio Curzi, European Commission, Directorate General XVI, Wetsraat 200, B1049 Brussels, Belgium.'

Mr Mathew said a 'deluge of letters from Tavistock' might persuade European commissioners not to spend money on a 'very unpopular scheme'.

But his actions were strongly criticised by Harry Pearson, borough councillor and chairman of the working party which formulated the plans for the square: 'This is absolutely appalling. The consequences for the chargepayer could be catastrophic.'

Mr Pearson said the borough council worked hard to obtain European funding for various projects like training, tourism and regeneration and he criticised any move that put obstacles in the way.

'We are at a critical stage in getting in on the next round of funding, it could put this money in jeopardy,' he said.

David Incoll, chief executive of the borough council, recently returned from a two-day mission to Brussels aimed at securing European funding for the South West.

Mr Incoll said: 'As I understand it the complaint is specifically about the Bedford Square scheme, but I would be very disappointed at anything that discredited West Devon in the eyes of Europe at this time when we are trying to get money to benefit our local economy.'

He said use of European funding in Devon and Cornwall's programmes was considered some of the best in Europe and it was important to be seen to be working together on projects.

A European Commission spokesman told the Times individual protests would make no difference.

He said: 'There is no reason for us to get involved.

'As far as we are concerned there is no evidence of maladministration, it has gone through the legal democratic process following public consultation. We raised the issues with the government office for the South West, they have told us the correct procedures have been followed.'

Despite this statement, Mr Mathew stands by his call to lobby Europe and said he would be writing again to Mr Curzi.

'Why not? It might not do any good at this stage but I don't see any harm in it,' he said.

In response to criticism of his action, Mr Mathew said: 'They should have thought of that before the council conned the public into appearing to support lunatic schemes.'

The final go-ahead for the Bedford Square scheme came at last week's meeting of Devon County Council's environment committee.

Tenders have been received and contracts are being offered for the work, expected to start later this month.

The project mainly involves extending the paving in front of the town hall at the expense of parking spaces and reducing traffic lanes from four to two.