A MAJOR scheme to upgrade Callington Town Hall has taken a leap forward with the news that it has passed the first funding stage. The project, which has been estimated at more than £250,000, will improve access, particularly for the disabled, and upgrade facilities, including the kitchens. Callington Town Council is also getting plans drawn up for an extension above the flat roof of the building for which it will be seeking additional funding. Chairman of the council's town hall and premises committee Roger Ellard said the news that the first stage bid had been approved and a sum of £18,000 was being advanced was 'a great boost'. 'It is absolutely fantastic and we hope it will lead to us securing the final part of this grant,' he said. But Cllr Chris Thomas said he believed the council should be pursuing a redevelopment plan being put forward by developers J and E Regan Ltd and Crowle, Caylor and Partners, who gave a presentation to the council in December. The £10-million to £15-million plan included the complete rebuilding of the town hall and pannier market on the ground floor which the council would own freehold and creating 'extra care' housing for the elderly above. Cllr Thomas said there would be no cost to the council and in return the town would get a purpose-built hall and offices and revamped pannier market, plus homes for the elderly which would be desperately needed in years to come as the elderly population was growing. 'This hall, which was a former grain store, is not fit for the purposes it is intended for these days,' he said. 'People expect better surroundings for functions and parties.' He said the council had rejected the idea because it was 'too radical' but that was exactly what the town needed. 'The pannier market is a cul-de-sac which no-one uses and the police do not like it because it attracts crime,' he said. 'What we are doing is just add ons. All the development company asked was to carry out a feasibility study funded by them — it would not mean we would have to go ahead with it.'
