LAUNCESTON, noted for its fine examples of historic buildings and recently upgraded town square, is soon to have additional improvements to one of its most treasured public spaces, the Parade Ground adjacent to St Mary's Church.

This area provides a quiet and reflective spot to look out across to edges of Dartmoor and down to the valley of the river Tamar. 

James Ortiz, North Cornwall District Council's Public Space Projects manager said: "The project originated after concerns were raised over its poor surface. Weeds were growing through the tarmac and poor drainage was hastening the deterioration of the site. We have identified that a retaining wall abutting the churchyard is beginning to fail and we know that access from the town centre is not well known.

"The Parade Ground and church are situated in the Launceston local conservation area so we have ensured that the design of the works is sympathetic to the location."

W H Bond from Trerulefoot were the successful contractors bidding for the work. Work will begin on March 23 and take approximately eight weeks taking the project through into the beginning of May. The cost of the project will be in the region of £120,000, with some improvements to the pavement outside St Mary's Church already completed.

The funding is being provided by NCDC and is one of a number of small scale projects the council is undertaking to ensure that the assets they look after are handed over to Cornwall Council in excellent condition.

Eric Chapman, a local Ward member and the Mayor of Launceston, said of the Parade Ground: "The whole area could do with a general tidy up with particular reference to the poor surfacing here.  Launceston has had some recent developments in the town square and this scheme will help to improve things even more in this lovely historic town."