Figures show crime

rate is down

REPORTED crime is running at a lower level in Torpoint compared to last year. Police figures for the first three-and-a-half months of the year show there were 164 crimes compared to 203 in 2000.

Among the crimes committed towards the end of that period were three public order offences, 28 incidents involving motor vehicles, six thefts, four burglaries, 11 cases of damage, five assaults, one harassment, one drugs offence, one firearm and one offensive weapon case, and one racial incident.

Meanwhile, Torpoint Town Council has called for the police to take more action over complaints of vandalism and hooliganism in the walled garden area at Thanckes Park.

Free of charge

for celebration

TORPOINT town councillors have recommended that CHAT (Community Health Around Torpoint) should be given free use of the council hall in York Road when the organisation holds a celebration to mark its 10th anniversary. CHAT is inviting past and present volunteers to the celebration on June 1.

'Support cricket club'

THE Mayor of Torpoint is urging businesses in the town to support their local cricket club. Businesses and individuals can sponsor a Torpoint Cricket Club match for £20 this season. Mayor Stan Martin, who has taken a lead by sponsoring a match out of his own pocket, said: "It is an opportunity for townsfolk, especially the shopkeepers, to support their local team."

The start of the club's home fixtures at their ground on the outskirts of the town was delayed this season because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Classes reuse items

DESIGN and technology classes at Torpoint Infants School are using several items that might otherwise be thrown away. The school needs film canisters, cotton reels, corks, small boxes, wool, string, material pieces, kitchen rolls, coloured cardboard and bubblewrap for these classes.

Objections to plan

PLANS for a two-storey extension at the rear of 38 Chapeldown Road in Torpoint have met with objections from town councillors. They have objected to the planning application because they say the proposed extension is above the existing roofline.

£300,000 boost for

business project

MORE than £300,000 has been gained in European money towards a major project which aims to bring new jobs to Torpoint and increase prosperity in the town.

The Objective 1 funding of £308,000 will go towards transforming the former Caradon District Council depot in Marine Drive into business units and a small conference centre. The old buildings on the site are to be demolished to make way for the new complex of around 25 units.

Torpoint Town Council and the district council are working in conjunction on the scheme which will cost in the region of £675,000. The district council is providing around 60 percent of the funds for the project.

Steve Vinson, the economic development manager for Caradon, said the project was one of the first from the district to apply for Objective 1 funding. The units, in a two-storey and single-storey block, will be used not only for hi-tech industries but also for start-up and small businesses. Meanwhile, the conference centre will be for around 30 people.

Mr Vinson is confident there will be a demand from businesses for the units. Caradon's architect, Brian Wright, who has been heavily involved in the scheme, said that full planning permission has been granted for the units, subject to an environmental clause.

It is anticipated work will begin on the site next month. It is planned to reuse the material from the demolition on the site as compacted hardcore. Also, because of previous contamination - there is evidence of a chemical works at the location - the soil will not be removed. Instead it will be moved around the site and compacted before it is capped for safety.

The town council wants ISDN cabling to be provided for the units. ASDL cabling is also to be considered. The council has been told that such cabling would be essential in attracting hi-tech computer programming businesses.

On the environmental side, solar-powered lighting is to be installed at the complex and it is likely carpet tiles made from recycled material will be used.

Once built, the complex will be managed by the town council which is seeking European grant aid to help fund the cost of an administrator.