Over £300,000 to fund North Devon community projects

It will be spent on three schemes

More than £300,000 of developers’ cash is to fund improvements to community assets and sports facilities in North Devon. 

The three projects include extending the changing room pavilion at Tews Lane Playing Fields at Bickington at the cost of £240,000.

Members of North Devon Council’s strategy and resources committee heard that the Fremington Parish Council scheme had been on the community’s wishlist for 20 years.

The extension will house a kitchenette and storage for equipment to support all users of the sports field.

Planning permission has been granted and work is expected to start on site in August.

Other cash will go towards installing a permanent ball rebound fence at the Tarka Leisure Centre’s grass football pitch (£11,000) in Barnstaple and cladding and insulation at Witheridge Parish Hall (£59,000).

The money is being dished out from the council’s pot of public open space funds which contains contributions from developers when they secure planning permission for housing applications.

The rebound fence at the Tarka Leisure Centre will replace a worn out temporary facility put in place to prevent injury to young people and adults waiting to access the Falcons Gymnastic Academy and protect the building from damage.

Recent damage from footballs has cost £2,226 to repair. 

Members of the committee agreed that funds should be released for the three projects.