PROPOSALS — some highly controversial — that could affect Tavistock's conservation area, and many residents' homes, went under the spotlight during a meeting in the town this week.

The Tavistock Conservation Area Management Plan has been drawn up by the Townscape Heritage Partnership, which this week issued an urgent appeal to the public to get involved in the work.

The management plan is being used to back a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund — it could see more than £1-million worth of funding flood into Tavistock, now part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage site.

The plan would see the conservation area extended to take in residential areas not presently included, and the introduction of a design guide for Bedford Cottages.

It recommends reduction of traffic through the town centre, removal of car parking in Guildhall Square and Bank Square, and the possible creation of a park and ride scheme.

A town centre manager would be appointed to co-ordinate the efforts of the borough, town, and county councils, and the chamber of commerce, to Tavistock's best interests.

Enhancement and repair of the town's historic buildings, its trees and landscape features are included in the plan, plus support of any project to secure the future of the Guildhall.

Cllr Anne Johnson told an extraordinary meeting of Tavistock Town Council: 'I see this as as a real opportunity for the future of Tavistock. It's something that in my opinion should have happened ten years ago.

'We live in a unique town which has an historic background and we have a duty to respect and look after it.

'This document works towards a significant piece of funding which will help maintain and conserve it.'

John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward and a member of the Townscape Heritage Partnership, said: 'As a group we think it's important the whole town gets involved in this and makes their views known.

'Without a conservation management plan in place, we can't apply for Heritage Lottery funding.

'The bid, which will be submitted in the next few weeks, is dependant on as many people as possible filling out questionnaire forms — it's absolutely essential.'

Dick Eberlie, chairman of the heritage partnership, said: 'Tavistock is a lovely town. We may all be proud of it. We should certainly do all we can to protect our fine and ancient buildings and we have a duty to posterity to conserve them for future generations.

'It is not simply that beautiful surroundings attract visitors who spend money here, they also bring in funds from bodies like the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable us to improve the town and bring more jobs here. And they provide us and our children with a magnificent historical environment for our work and leisure.'

Mr Eberlie said the management plan's proposals were a good start but 'certainly capable of improvement'.

He welcomed the town council's serious consideration and urged everyone in Tavistock to take part in the consultation.

Town councillors welcomed proposals that would see greater conservation work on Tavistock's historic remains like Betsy Grimbal's Tower — but they were concerned over some of the plan's concepts.

Cllr Debo Sellis said: 'The idea of converting Bank Square into an outside seating area sounds fantastic — however, Tavistock is one of the wettest places in the UK and when it's chucking it down and people are trying to buy things, it's really useful to have somewhere like this to park quickly.

'Café culture sounds lovely and if we were the South of France I am sure we'd have done it years ago. I can see the vision but we have to think long and hard about losing car parking facilities.'

And Cllr Brian Trew said losing Guildhall car park would mean the loss of around £250,000 over ten years.

'We can't afford to lose any car parking. We don't have enough as it is,' he said.

The council agreed its committees would debate the plan in detail, in time to make a formal response before the end of the consultation period, which finishes on December 5.

l A questionnaire regarding the conservation management plan is included on page 16 of this week's Times, which readers are urged to complete.