North Devon dishes out dosh

£300k for community projects

Funding worth almost £300,000 has been approved for seven public space projects across North Devon.

The cash, which comes from developers for schemes to protect and enhance public open space, has received backing from the district council on Monday [5 September].

They include improving the area outside Barnstaple Library, a new memorial garden at North Devon Crematorium and putting solar panels on a village hall. The projects are:

Construction of a multi-use games area at Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields, Tews Lane, Roundswell (£111,000).
Described as an “open door” facility, for informal activities such as football and basketball, that can be accessed by the community free of charge. Suitable new footpaths will also be constructed to ensure it is accessible for all.

Improvements to Tower View Recreation Area, Tavistock (£15,000).
The next stage of this long-term project is to improve footpath access at its southern end to make the site more accessible for people with mobility needs.

The parish council also wants to provide goal posts, while remaining funds will be use to improve landscaping and buy a community noticeboard.

Creation of new memorial garden at North Devon Crematorium (£39,700)
An existing dilapidated building is being demolished and re-built elsewhere. In its place, the memorial garden will also serve as an outdoor waiting area with seating.

Public space improvements at Library Square, Barnstaple (£62,600)
The council says the current space “is in need of updating and expanding to make the area more fitting to the setting of the ancient monument and the town centre location.” The proposals include more landscaping, improved seating and public art.

Clubhouse enhancements – Barnstaple and Pilton Cricket Club (£25,900)
The money will be used to provide disabled access to the clubhouse at Raleigh Meadow, Barnstaple. It will help to support a disabled group which uses the facilities and former cricketers with mobility issues. Funds will also be used to provide new secure storage so that pitch maintenance machinery can be securely stored.

Access and storage enhancements – Landkey Town Football Club (£7,900)
The funding will pay for new secure storage for pitch maintenance and training equipment, as well as to improve the access road to the clubhouse car park.

Tawstock Village Hall (£16,200)
Solar panels will be installed to make the hall more environmentally friendly and financially viable.

Council leader David Worden (Lib Dem, South Molton) said: “I think there will be some happy people when we actually pass this in a minute.”

And they weren’t disappointed, with the authority’s strategy and resources committee unanimously backing the recommendations.