DESPITE its relatively affluent air, Tavistock is in desperate need of an injection of funding — that's the message which will be given to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the group hoping for £1 million of grant funding.

Members of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership last week told a public meeting that a successful bid to the Lottery's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) could make a huge difference to the historic buildings in the town's conservation area.

The partnership believes it has a strong case, based on Tavistock's position as a gateway town to the West Devon and Cornwall World Heritage Site, and its unique historic town centre. But it also needs to persuade the HLF the money is desperately needed.

Simon Mallett of Plymouth University, who has been working with the partnership, said: 'In many ways, Tavistock is typical of many market towns — whilst it may be no Toxteth, there are problems here that would form a needs-based case for help.

'West Devon — with Tavistock as its major town — suffers from very low economic productivity. We are only about two thirds as productive as other districts nationally, and it's forecast to get even lower.'

Mr Mallett said the town was likely to be disproportionately affected by public sector cut backs, due to the number of people commuting to Plymouth, a city heavily reliant on public sector employment.

The town had a heavy reliance on tourism and agriculture — industries which did not create great wealth and were vulnerable to economic shocks and depression. Additionally, tourism appeared to be experiencing a decline.

The commercial property markets were under-supplied, there was higher than average unemployment in the area and incomes were particularly low, especially in relation to house prices.

The local population had a high proportion of older people, 'worrying gaps at all levels of attainment' within younger age groups and there were 'pockets of acute social deprivation' in the area.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) uses lottery cash to promote economic growth and improve social conditions, specifically through projects that improve the 'built historic environment'.

Robert Plumb, West Devon Borough Council's regeneration officer, told the meeting the social and economic fortunes of Tavistock and its hinterland were 'intimately linked' to the town's ability to remain distinctive and prosperous.

The ongoing cost of maintaining its historic buildings — centrally important to its appeal as a high quality tourist and retail destination — were huge.

'In these difficult times economic, property owners are increasingly struggling to find the investment necessary. This is what our bid is all about,' said Mr Plumb.

A successful bid could mean high quality repairs and conservation of areas such as Tavistock Pannier Market, the auctions rooms and the Guildhall, as well as open spaces such as Guildhall Square and Bank Square.

Businesses and individuals would also be able to apply for grants from a common fund to improve their premises within the scheme area.

A successful bid, plus matched funding, could mean an investment of up to £2million in the town.

Mr Plumb said the partnership's stage one bid will be submitted in October. This was a competitive process, with the HLF receiving bids from towns nationally. Site visits by representatives from the HLF would take place in the New Year — a decision should be announced by May.

If Tavistock is successful at this stage, a more detailed stage two bid would be submitted, with the HLF making its final decision during the summer of 2014.

If all went to plan, the THI plan would start that autumn, and run for five years.

Mr Plumb urged property owners, individuals or businesses who believed the scheme could help them to contact him, as the more support the bid received, the stronger it would be.

l Robert Plumb can be contacted at West Devon Borough Council, Kilworthy Park, Tavistock PL19 0BZ or email [email protected]">[email protected]