A VISION for the future of Roadford Lake was unveiled last week, which will not only boost facilities at the lake — but create as many as 200 new jobs once the projects are completed.

Included in the scheme is the building of a community hall and resource room for life-long learning and a visitor and interpretation centre.

Roadford Lake currently attracts 100,000 visitors per year, but the ambitious vision aims to double the number of visitors, as well as creating skills and training opportunities and boosting business in the area.

The first two phases of the vision for the next five years, the building of a community hall and resource room and a visitor and interpretation centre will create up to 20 new jobs, while protecting several more at the lake.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, launched the vision for Roadford's future — the largest environmental project undertaken in Devon — at the lake last Wednesday.

Mr Bell said people living near the lake would benefit from community use as well as new employment opportunities.

Mr Bell said: 'This is a massive project for Western Devon, and we are trying to get people to understand the significance of the project and get behind it'.

The South West Lakes Trust will now be looking for grant funding from various sources to begin implementing different aspects of the vision as soon as possible.

Currently visitors can enjoy brown trout fishing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, raft building, rowing, archery, orienteering and cycling.

There are also some 11km of walks by the water's edge and through newly planted and maturing forest with picnic areas and viewing points offering a panoramic outlook across the lake and surrounding countryside.

Among other key developments at Roadford for the next five years are a centre of excellence for angling and watersports, a children's environmental activity area, cycle and horse riding routes and improved footpath access.

Other planned improvements include a wetland and forest centre, a medieval village and traditional building centre, eco-friendly fishing boats, watersports teaching and club rooms, youth sailing and fishing equipment, bird hides and opportunities for rowing.

Mr Bell said research had identified five main reasons why people chose to visit the South West; for the cities, for the moors, for the seaside resorts, for the coast, and most important in relation to Roadford, to experience the rural idyll of life in the countryside.

He said the natural environment at Roadford would appeal to many people who live and work in bustling cities.

Mr Bell said millions of visitors travelled along the A30 when they came to the region on holiday —the challenge would be to stop people driving past and missing the wonderful range of activities available at the site.

He said he wanted to demonstrate to people that Roadford Lake was the 'jewel in the crown' of South West Lakes.

'We want to avoid people staying in the countryside and driving to the coast everyday, we need high quality tourism activities right in the heart of the countryside,' he said.

Mr Bell said the general picture for tourism in the South West was good, with the region recovering well after the difficulties of foot and mouth disease last year.

'We have had a tremendous bounce back since last year,' he said.

'We were all scared that people wouldn't come back after foot and mouth and we should kick ourselves for not having more faith in the quality of environment we have here, but we have faith in the future as we know the environment and rural holidays are a tremendous selling point,' he said.

Evelyn Stacey, director of the South West Lakes Trust, said Roadford was an important environmental and recreational asset.

She said she was particularly excited about a project to create a research centre based on the medieval village which had been uncovered near the site.

Mrs Stacey said because the major developments would be adjoining the cafe site, they would not spoil the natural environment of Roadford.