Totnes has been listed by the Council for British Archaeology as one of the most important towns in England because of its well-preserved medieval street pattern and its wealth of historic buildings. Fore Street and High Street in particular, only temporarily affected by the fire at Eastgate in 1990, have for many years given pleasure to tourists, and the warehouses which line the Plains beside the river Dart add a complementary interest. During the 1970s and 1980s, however, these imposing riverside buildings fell into disuse and became so dilapidated that there was considerable local concern about their future.
Following a campaign by the Dartington and District Amenity Society to rescue the warehouses, the Devon Historic Buildings Trust considered purchasing them, but its available funds were insufficient. They were sold to a developer who subsequently offered them to Totnes Waterside, a company set up in 1985 by the Totnes Preservation Trust, an off -shoot of the Amenity Society. The Devon Historic Buildings Trust agreed to lend £50,000 to Totnes Waterside, the National Architectural Heritage Fund .and private individuals contributed funds for the work to proceed in three phases.
After considerable effort the restoration of the buildings was completed, complemented by a public highway scheme for the improvement of paving and parking on the Plains introduced jointly by the South Hams District Council and the County Council. The effect of all these schemes was to revitalise an area which had so recently been in steep decline. This remarkable restoration and remodelling of thePlains was recognised by a Civic Trust Award in 1990.
By this time the original investment by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust had been repaid, with interest, together with an additional £20,000 loaned at a later date, not only in cash but in the successful completion of a far-sighted town improvement. The Trust applauds the enthusiasm and energy of local people in raising the necessary capital and the professional competence of Totnes Waterside and its architects.
Following a campaign by the Dartington and District Amenity Society to rescue the warehouses, the Devon Historic Buildings Trust considered purchasing them, but its available funds were insufficient. They were sold to a developer who subsequently offered them to Totnes Waterside, a company set up in 1985 by the Totnes Preservation Trust, an off -shoot of the Amenity Society. The Devon Historic Buildings Trust agreed to lend £50,000 to Totnes Waterside, the National Architectural Heritage Fund .and private individuals contributed funds for the work to proceed in three phases.
After considerable effort the restoration of the buildings was completed, complemented by a public highway scheme for the improvement of paving and parking on the Plains introduced jointly by the South Hams District Council and the County Council. The effect of all these schemes was to revitalise an area which had so recently been in steep decline. This remarkable restoration and remodelling of thePlains was recognised by a Civic Trust Award in 1990.
By this time the original investment by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust had been repaid, with interest, together with an additional £20,000 loaned at a later date, not only in cash but in the successful completion of a far-sighted town improvement. The Trust applauds the enthusiasm and energy of local people in raising the necessary capital and the professional competence of Totnes Waterside and its architects.