THE challenge facing Okehampton following the publication of its Action Plan ?Looking Forward? is to get the funding to deliver the projects outlined in the plan. Speaking at the launch of the Okehampton Area Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTi) Action Plan in the Charter Hall last Friday, chairman Cllr Christine Marsh said she was delighted the plan had been completed, but it was only the beginning of the process. She said far from being the culmination of the work, the document allowed everyone to move forward with trying to draw funds down to get the project people really wanted implemented. Cllr Marsh said the Okehampton Area MCTi was unique in that it incorporated three localities: Okehampton, North Tawton and Chagford. Cllr Marsh said: ?Initially, we thought these three different areas would have different needs, but through this process surprise, surprise, we all found we have the same sort of problems, like transport and youth issues, and that has brought us closer together.? West Devon Borough Council chief executive David Incoll said he was impressed by the hard work and community effort which had gone into producing the plan. ?We are in an age where few authorities can do a lot on their own, but we can work together through partnerships to secure funding to turn these dreams into reality. ?If we look at Okehampton, it has got a lot of the pieces of the jigsaw to make a really successful area, and developments in the last few years have added to that.? A number of ?quick-win? projects in Okehampton were identified to give the communities an opportunity to see some early results, including new equipment for Spreyton playing fields and the Okehampton broadband and community cinema projects. The 80-page document identifies the following projects and longer term objectives: n a Wren Arts Centre on the Old Mill site, which would house the Wren Trust and its extensive music archive n the Dartmoor Railway Development Project, to provide additional services and potential for commuter transport between Okehampton and Exeter n the Okehampton Concept Plan n Okehampton Town Design Statement, which would be used as supplementary planning guidance n North Tawton Wool Mill redevelopment project, to provide a mix of business units, affordable housing and community facilities n Sampford Courtenay Village Hall Improvement Project n Chagford Sports Hall Project n Green Tourism Project n Heritage Centre Development Project n Ockment Child and Family Care Project n Okehampton Special Educational Needs Support Group Project n Youth and Community Inclusion Project n North Tawton Community Woodland Project n North Tawton Park Enhancement Project n North Tawton Produce Market. A reference copy of the plan will be available in Okehampton Library. If you would like further information about the plan contact Cllr Christine Marsh, c/o the Devon Heartlands Trust, 12b The Square, North Tawton, EX20 2EP or telephone 01837 880119.
