PLANS to build an £800,000 village centre for Princetown took another step forward last week as members of the local steering group met to elect a site.
Two positions had been considered for the building, one a piece of land adjoining the playing fields, close to Princetown Primary School, the other on a brownfield site which currently houses the old prison officers? club.
The meeting saw the steering group presented with the results of a feasibility study carried out by Plymouth architects Stride Treglown indicating the playing field option as the more financially sound and viable proposition.
The committee elected to work with the playing field site and have engaged surveyors to assess the land.
Community development officer Jenny Coleman said: ?We?re really optimistic about the whole project, although we?re still in the early stages.
?We?re trying to raise awareness and draw down funding. One good lead is that the project has been taken on by a new government initiative called ?Future Builders? which we hope will open channels into major funding routes like the Regional Development Agency and the lottery.?
The steering group has also sent letters to local architectural firms hoping to elicit interest in taking the project through the planning stage.
When complete it is hoped the centre will house vital amenities for the village, including new sports and IT facilities, two large halls, a doctor?s surgery and a library.
Copies of the feasibility study are available at Princetown Library, Wesley House, Princetown Primary School and Fox Tor Café, with the completed business plan also available for public viewing at Wesley House.
The next meeting concerning the village centre is on Tuesday October 19 at 10.30am. Anyone wishing to get involved can contact the High Moorland Community Action Group on 01822 890732.