IT?S ALL systems go for the £1.6-million community centre in Hatherleigh, thanks to European funds. The Government Office South West announced on Monday it had awarded Hatherleigh Community and Enterprise Centre £359,000 from the European Objective 2 Programme. Led by the community and pioneered by the Hatherleigh Area Project (HAP), the scheme will see a new, multi-purpose centre to replace the existing 100-year-old town hall. Noel Cartwright, project co-ordinator said he was over the moon that the final piece of the funding jigsaw had been slotted into place: ?We first started out on this project in 1998 when we realised the old hall in the town was not going to meet new standards. ?The foot and mouth epidemic hit our community badly and it was evident we needed to all pull together to regenerate our town and the surrounding area. ?None of us knew what a long and protracted process this would be and credit must go to the people of Hatherleigh who have worked extremely hard to get this scheme underway. ?It?s been a huge consultation exercise and involved lots of negotiations with all the funding organisations.? Mr Cartwright added that the new centre would cater for all the community and all were looking forward to the day when the people of Hatherleigh and the surrounding area could walk through the doors and enjoy the facilities. West Devon Borough Councillor for Hatherleigh Dennis Bater said: ?This will be the jewel in the crown, offering much needed facilities for sports and activities in the area. ?The old community centre has been outgrown. The population of Hatherleigh is now almost 1,500 and that is set to increase in the next two to three years by another 300 to 400 people. After many, many meetings and having had our hopes raised and then dashed, we are here today with the announcement the resource centre has come to fruition.? The latest award follows hot on the heels of the funding recently awarded by Devon County Council (£113,500), Hatherleigh Town Council (£25,000) and West Devon Borough Council (£101,577) who all stepped into the breech when HAP?s application for lottery community funding failed, as well as an investment of £250,000 from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA). The financing of the project, which was identified as part of HAP?s Market and Coastal Town initiative strategic plan, has been a major challenge ? HAP applied to many different funders and partners. The Devon County Council contribution of £113,500 was agreed by the council?s executive earlier this month when councillors heard the centre was crucial to the town?s regeneration programme. Executive member for economy and regeneration, strategic planning and regional affairs, Cllr Humphrey Temperley, said: ?This is a fantastic community effort. The determination and dedication of the people of Hatherleigh and surrounding villages has been unstinting and Devon County Council has been pleased to contribute to the building and its fitting out. ?The new community centre fits in with all our objectives of ensuring that the economic and social well-being is maintained for all sections of the community and the new centre will be a shining example of what can be achieved by local people, hand in hand with all the partnering organisations.? The new community and enterprise centre, at the Hatherleigh roundabout on the A386, will house a children?s centre through the government-supported Sure Start initiative, a modern resource for arts and sporting activities, a commercial kitchen and facilities for vital business advice and support. The centre will serve a large catchment area, benefiting 12 other surrounding parishes in addition to Hatherleigh itself: Beaworthy, Bratton Clovelly, Broadwoodkelly, Exbourne, Germansweek, Highampton, Iddesleigh, Inwardleigh, Jacobstowe, Meeth, Monkokehampton and Northlew.
