WEST Devon planners have given the go-ahead for a town hall and community centre to be built next to the Bowling Club in Hatherleigh.
At a planning meeting on Tuesday, the vote was unanimously in support of Hatherleigh Town Council's application which has been made on behalf of the Hatherleigh Regeneration Committee.
The £500,000 project, for which funding is being sought, will include a venue for wedding receptions and parties, a hall for sports, a stage for local and visiting theatre companies and an adventure playground for the children.
The land had been promised for sale, subject to planning permission.
Planning officers said although the site fell outside the development boundary, finding sites for new social development within existing settlements was difficult and it was not uncommon for consent to be granted just outside built up areas.
The location was also in reasonable walking distance for the southern half of Hatherleigh, they said.
Chairman of Hatherleigh Regeneration Committee, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Whiteley, said he was delighted with the decision.
'This is very good news and another hurdle we have passed,' he said.