A DRIVE to spur on development at Exeter Road in Okehampton was given the green light by councillors last week, who earmarked £20,000 for the project.
West Devon Borough Council?s Economic, Leisure and Community Development committee last Tuesday agreed the money, part of £50,000 already allocated in its capital programme, should be used to support the development of the new employment site.
The Regional Development Agency now owns the site at Exeter Road, but West Devon economic development and regeneration manager Tim Beavon said there had been concern about the lack of commitment by the RDA to the provision of site infrastructure in the near future.
?It?s gone off the boil,? he said.
?It is considered that a firm proposal to develop part of the site will refocus the RDA on the early provision of infrastructure,? he said.
The council has already stated its interest in providing a managed workshop scheme in Okehampton to provide 20 to 25 units totalling around 10,000 sq ft, training and conference facilities and a base for business counsellors.
Mr Beavon said: ?This may not be enough on its own to stimulate the RDA into action. It is therefore proposed that a scheme for the development of advance factory and office units is worked up.
?This would involve commissioning work to detail the demand for workspace in Okehampton to inform decisions on the most appropriate type of accommodation, designing a scheme and undertaking a full financial appraisal.?
The plan will be used to draw in private and public sector partners to finance and develop the scheme and involve the RDA in making land available.
Okehampton councillors were assured they would be involved in drawing up the proposals.
?We hope to get this very important site unlocked: we need to prove the demand and come up with a scheme,? Mr Beavan said.
Cllr Jane Waterhouse asked to what level the RDA could be lobbied in order to get developments under way.
Mr Beavon assured members the RDA would be involved at the very outset.