The Old Mill site in Okehampton will be given a new lease of life as a centre for community-based facilities, West Devon Borough councillors have decided. At a recent meeting of the council?s environment and community committee, councillors considered a range of options for the possible development of the central town site. Following a lengthy debate, they agreed to support the proposal put forward by the Devon Heartlands Community Group. The chosen option will see the site developed for a mix of community uses, including the re-provision of a purpose-built library for Okehampton, replacing the existing one, which currently stands on the site in North Street. The proposal is in partnership with Okehampton College, who plan to build a vocational trainingcentre on site, providing courses in catering, hair and beauty, building trades, rural skills and design technology and other much needed courses for young people. Cllr Chris Jenkins, chairman of the environment and community committee, said after the meeting: ?This wasn?t an easy decision and over the past few years many ideas have come forward and been debated. ?However, this option seemed to be the best solution for the site and will provide much needed community-based facilities. ?We now look forward to a detailed scheme being worked up in partnership with the local community.?