­RESIDENTS in a West Devon village will be going 'underground' next year when a pioneering eco project becomes a reality.

Work to create an underground shop and post office at Exbourne is set to start next March — but the project will offer much more than food produce and postage stamps.

The £398,961 scheme will also serve as a venue for young people and community groups and house two computer terminals for internet use by residents — IT training sessions will take place in the evenings.

The revolutionary scheme came about after Exbourne and Jacobstowe Community Association set up a temporary shop in the village hall when the original shop and post office closed in December 2001.

Company secretary of Exbourne and Jacobstowe Community Association Sally Hordern said the new shop and post office would act as a hub for the community.

'The new build is not just a shop — it will provide the community with a range of facilities,' she said.

'In the evening when the shop is closed, the café will be open and can be used for meetings, youth clubs and organisations.

'This will really bring the community together and is also great for new residents to meet people and feel a part of the village.'

The proposed site will be set in an existing field bank and lie within the centre of the village, opposite the school and pub and within the village conservation area.

'It is really original to have the shop built underground and could lead to similar things around the country.'

Mrs Hordern expressed thanks to the organisations which have supported the project.

'We have had some fantastic support, including the Plunkett Foundation, which supports rural communities wanting to set up and run a community-owned shop.'

The project has already received funding from organisations including the Big Lottery Community Buildings Programme, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council.

'We still have to raise £250,000 but the support so far has been really helpful and we appreciate all they have done.'

The current shop, which was set up in the village hall in March 2002, is open two mornings a week and run by shop manager Bella Snook and volunteers.

Mrs Snook, who will continue to manage the new project, said residents were looking forward to having a more permanent base: 'The new shop will be very much community-based and a great meeting point for everybody.'

Mrs Snook said the shop had been run successfully in the hall but had now outgrown the premises.

'It does get used for other things and it is a pain having to box up and store away our produce. We also share the fridge, which can be difficult.'

Since its establishment the temporary shop service has developed links with local producers to supply fresh fruit, vegetables and bread.

Mrs Snook said the project was working closely with a wide range of local suppliers: 'It's great to have local suppliers on board and we are really grateful for all the support.

'The level we are working at is very small but we hope to keep building up our contacts and growing.

'We've also had our own shopping bags made with the shop logo printed on them and things are really moving on.'

The development will be heated, using a geo-thermal heat-pump to provide both hot water and heating and will offer level access for those with reduced mobility and pushchairs.

Full planning permission for the project was granted by West Devon Borough Council in April 2006 and, it is hoped, will shortly be renewed. But the scheme did meet some objection.

In 2005, West Devon Borough Cllr for Exbourne, David Weeks, said he remained unconvinced spending on the new shop and post office would be feasible.

An open gardens and cream tea party will be held on Saturday, July 4 in Exbourne. There will also be a barbecue and jazz evening to help raise money towards the shop project.

Anyone who wants more information on the open gardens day can phone Sally Hordern on 01837 851646.