AFTER almost twenty years of flying advertising banners between Tavistock Town Hall and Court Gate, the town council have been warned by West Devon Borough Council planning officers that they object to the banners and may threaten enforcement action.

The borough objects to the banners being flown between two listed buildings. It is proposing that a small working party of town councillors meet with them to find an acceptable alternative.

At a recent meeting of the town council's properties committee, members felt they should seek legal clarification as to their position.

Cllr Pike felt that a certificate of Lawfulness might be appropriate as the banners had been used for such a long time.

Cllr Debo Sellis said the banners sometimes looked untidy, whereas Cllr Trew thought they enhanced the town.

He said: 'We're in a lovely country town, the beauty is things aren't perfect.'

Councillors did not object to a small working party meeting with the borough, but thought the party needed guidance as to the council's policy on the matter.

It was recommended that borough council officers should be invited to a town council planning committee meeting to discuss the subject with members.

The council were in agreement that they should defend their position if they felt they were right.

Cllr Smith said: 'If we feel we should carry on then we should, we should not be threatened.'

Alison Stoneham, spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council, said: 'We are endeavouring to explore more sympathetic signage options with Tavistock Town Council, which respect the historic listed buildings status of Tavistock Town Hall and Court Gate — two very significant buildings in Bedford Square.'