I READ with interest and to a certain degree sympathised with Jean Howard?s letter (January 30) voicing her concerns in relation to the proposals for part of 1 Duke Street, Tavistock, being let as a betting shop. However, due to West Devon Borough Council?s refusal to grant planning consent for shop fronts we have to find high street tenants that do not require shop fronts.

Only part of the unit will be used as a betting shop and we are still searching for a suitable tenant for the remainder. Our search will be greatly aided if we are allowed to put in some form of shop front. We are considering putting in a revised application for shop fronts.

The people of Tavistock should be made aware of the fact that the councillors on the planning committee from the south of the borough supported our application. However, the planning committee members from the north of the borough together with the chairman opposed our application and it was the chairman?s casting vote that resulted in our application being refused.

Unfortunately, six out of the ten councillors on the planning committee are from the north of the borough and as such it is always going to be an uphill task to persuade them to go against the recommendations of West Devon Borough Council and vote in favour of an application supported by Tavistock Town Council.

S Thompson

Park Green Developments Limited

3 The Quadrant

Richmond

Surrey

I ALWAYS enjoy visits to Tavistock. How many towns of a similar size and history are such a joy to the visitor?

The austere greyness of the splendid old buildings provide modest grandeur and an almost theatrical background to the lively, busy and colourful shops.

I could not believe my eyes to read a notice informing the passers-by that a prime site in Duke Street is to be taken over by a Manchester bookmaker! How can this foolish decision have been made? Is it all a mistake, a clumsy venture into black humour?

The rooks noisily rebuilding nests in the two rookeries high above the town centre made their observations clear as I walked around handsome Bedford Square at 8am on this beautiful Sunday morning.

Once lost, style and integrity can never be retrieved.

Rachel Hyde

9 Victoria Street

Shaftesbury

Dorset

COUNCILLOR Eberlie is not alone in wanting Tavistock to stay ?an active, vibrant and prosperous retail area?, (Times, January 23).

Perhaps he will agree that a betting office in the former TSB building at no 1 Duke Street is likely to promote an adverse affect. It can be argued that betting offices divert money from shops and so diminish the prosperity of shopping centres.

In any case, who wants to see that elegant Georgian building . . . originally, I believe, an hotel . . . in the historic centre of the town subjected to the garish treatment seemingly thought necessary by bookmakers?

It might also be asked: ?When is a shop not a shop?? A simple answer is ?When it provides a service such as accountancy, legal and betting and not a purchase such as shoes and clothes?.

Finally, does Tavistock with a population of less that 11,000 need or want another betting office? The present one never seems overcrowded.

G Kirkpatrick

Parkwood Road

Tavistock

RE the article in the Times (January 23) on the possibility of the redundant TSB building housing a bookmaker?s shop:

As chairman of Tavistock Town Council plans committee, I am very frustrated that this item does not need permission for change of use and therefore will not be debated.

My personal view is that this is a totally inappropriate use for a prime town centre site and I would rather have seen the two retail shops even if it meant a tasteful change to the front of the building to achieve the level entrance to the shops, despite the building being listed.

Many people have spoken to me on this subject but I can only suggest that letters are written to the magistrate?s court in Plymouth stating that Tavistock is already supplied by a large betting shop which is fully accessible by everyone.

If the front of the TSB building cannot be altered then people in wheelchairs and other disabilities will be denied access.

As for a change of use there is a large category, the bank was a facility for saving money ? a betting shop is a sure fire facility for losing money.

Cllr Judith A Williams

35 Chollacott Close

Tavistock