Tavistock's stannary history is given a 21st century lease of life
5th October 2009
An important part of Tavistock’s historically significant past as a stannary town has been bought right up to date by Cavanna Homes. Foundry Mews in Tavistock is a development of apartments and houses centred around a former iron works in Parkwood Road.
The old foundry building was the first iron foundry to be established in Tavistock in 1805. It was originally known as the Mount Foundry Iron Works and then, after 1818, as the Tavistock Iron Works.
The original old foundry building is Grade II listed. The mix of refurbished and new build properties range from one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom houses in the original foundry building to brand new two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes on the surrounding land.
Martin Cavanna from Cavanna Homes said: “We have taken great care with the old foundry building to ensure it is beautifully refurbished throughout to an exceptional standard. The homes in the old building are designed to incorporate the original curved top windows keeping an historical aspect as well as adding to their contemporary style.
“The remaining part of the foundry building consists of three bedroom houses incorporating original feature beams to the bedrooms and exposed stone walls. All the properties benefit from high specification modern fitted kitchens and bathrooms and come with smoke alarms and a NACOS approved alarm system.
Tavistock began growing as a stannary town in medieval times after rich seams of copper were found in the surrounding area. In the 19th century, when there was dramatic expansion in the town, there were three working foundries. They all, including the Mount Foundry, produced everything from nails and screws to hand tools, grates and stoves. They also made the massive machinery needed to mine more copper and arsenic. In 1810 the Mount Foundry began to manufacture ore barges, made of iron, for the Tavistock Canal and produced a 40 foot water wheel to be set up at the entrance of the waterway.
In 1868 the foundry was purchased by two new partners and used to manufacture mining machinery for Brazil. The company suspended trading for a time in 1879 as a result of the mining depression then carried on intermittently, with small-scale and repair work, until its closure in 1891. In 1897 the premises were leased as a wool combing and woollen mill. From 1933, trading as Devon Wool combers, it remained an important employer in Tavistock until its closure in 1965. From 1965 until more recent times the site was used as a garden centre and builder’s yard.
The area is included in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. Tavistock is a flourishing town with a population of around 11,000, served by a wide selection of schools, many exclusive shops, bars, restaurants, a cinema, the historic Pannier Market and many other amenities. Dartmoor is on the town’s doorstep, yet Tavistock is just a short drive away from the A30 with easy access to the rest of Devon and Cornwall.
Cavanna Homes was first established in 1923 by Philip Cavanna who set up the company with the slogan ‘Buildings of Repute’. The firm remains a family business and is now the South West’s largest independent house builder. Cavanna combines traditional building techniques with modern technology to meet the needs of both local communities and homebuyers.
At the time that ‘PD’, as he was affectionately known, started the company, an average house cost just £600.
Although prices have of course gone up in the past 80 years, properties at Foundry Mews still represent excellent value for money. Many have already been snapped up ahead of completion. Just a number of two bedroom apartments remain in the original foundry building priced from £229,000.
Karen Heywood-Cann, Cavanna Sales Manager added: “Despite the recession, Cavanna currently has several new developments under way including The Green at Bere Alston and Evolve in Torquay. We are proud of the history of our company that means we enjoy working on projects such as this that are situated in such historic buildings. We are also proud that Cavanna homeowners report a 90% satisfaction rating according to the National Homebuilders Federation, compared with a nationally agreed target of 75%.”
Cavanna’s new show apartment and sales office is located within the original foundry building and is open from Thursday to Monday between 10am and 5pm. For further information contact Anne Beadle on 01822 617625.
