THE Conservation Studio, one of the country's leading experts in heritage conservation, has been appointed by West Devon Borough Council to carry out a conservation area appraisal and development management plan in Tavistock during the next six months. With support from the town council, TaVi Development Forum, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site and Devon County Council, the studies will assist the borough council and partners in bringing forward a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund under their Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme. If successful, the bid could lead to several millions of pounds of works to improve and regenerate the conservation area, which forms the heart and extends to all corners of the town. Eddie Booth, director of the Conservation Studio, said: We are delighted to be working with the people of Tavistock to help them make the very best of their distinctive history.' Cllr Chris Jenkins, chairman of the borough council's environment and community committee, said: 'This is a critical initiative, which will help to transform the town and support local businesses, while respecting and enhancing the unique heritage of this special place.' Key organisations and individuals, including local amenity and historical groups, property owners and business representatives will be invited to join The Conservation Studio (TCS) and local authority representatives in a walkabout on the evening of Tuesday July 22, starting at 5pm at the Ordulph Arms. The TCS will then carry out detailed studies over the summer before publishing initial ideas in the autumn, when further consultation will take place. If you would like to be invited to the walkabout and workshops in July or want to find out more about what is proposed, contact Robert Plumb, West Devon Borough Council regeneration officer on 01822 813620 or email [email protected]">[email protected] during normal office hours.
