MEMBERS of Fairplace Church in Okehampton are hoping their proposal for a user-friendly forecourt and community area will be incorporated into the Fairplace Refurbishment Scheme.
Officers from Devon County Council have informed the town that they are starting the project with a 'blank sheet of paper' and want as much input as possible from the town's residents and businesses.
With the main £420,000 refurbishment of Fairplace Church now complete, members feel that the original aim to make the church more user-friendly can now be accomplished. A design has been drawn up by local architect Peter Woodgate.
Chairman of the church appeals committee Derek Allin explained that the plan was to open up the church entrance and incorporate it into Fairplace Square.
'It will be a community area where we can have bands playing and the like,' he said.
The original granite boundary wall would be removed and the materials from it used to build two new walls — one each side of the church foyer. The idea was to set the walls at an angle which will have the effect of welcoming people into the premises. An arc of granite paving slabs would produce the same effect.
Trees and granite planters would be added to enhance the area even more.
Mr Allin said the great advantage of this scheme was that it would do away with the steps at the entrance which had proved to be an obstacle especially to the elderly.
'We still need to raise £7,000 for the refurbishment and this new scheme means adding to the cost once again,' he added.
'The people of Okehampton have been very generous in their support of our fundraiser and I believe that, when they see the advantages to the town of this new project, they will rise to the challenge once again.'
The main aim of the Fairplace Enhancement Scheme is to make the area, where five roads meet, safer for pedestrians. Devon County Council has acquired funding of £100,000 to carry out the project in 2001.