PLANS to revitalise the Old Mill site in Okehampton for community use were backed this week by borough councillors who will examine three possible uses for the high profile site.

The possibility of the town library relocating to the site to provide an improved and expanded service was discussed.

However, two other groups have also expressed interest in part use of the Old Mill site ? the music and arts group the Wren Trust and a group wishing to set up a children?s nursery.

Early discussions about relocating Okehampton Library to the site are understood to have taken place. But Devon Library Services has yet to take the proposal forward, so West Devon Borough Council will now approach county library headquarters in Exeter to confirm or negate any interest they may have in the site.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: ?While the current library provides a range of services that benefit the local community, we recognise that the current premises are not ideal and we are potentially interested in any development that might lead to new or relocated premises.?

The report presented to the economic, leisure and community development committee meeting being held in Okehampton on Tuesday, argued the Old Mill site development project would ?result in the physical regeneration of a currently derelict site and potentially maintain elements of industrial heritage.?

It was also felt the project would ally with enhancements such as the footpath, which had already taken place on the site.

Cllr Kenneth Williams, member for Okehampton West said: ?It is a site of some industrial interest. I feel it should be something that should be preserved for heritage value.?

West Devon Borough Council owns the Old Mill site, following the purchase of the land three years ago, since when the buildings have been unoccupied.

Demolition of some buildings on the site took place in 2001, and the establishment of a footpath and related landscaping was completed.

There is one listed building at the site, the prominent old chimney.

Deputy chief executive David Inman said he did not think it likely that English Heritage would review the listing to include other buildings at the site, as they had already examined the buildings at the site in some detail.

Cllr Dick Eberlie said he hoped the idea of relocating the library to the site could be realised.

?My understanding is that the people of Okehampton are keen to have the library there, and lets hope Devon Library Services will respond to local needs,? he said.

The committee agreed to establish a project team to look at various possible uses for the site, a feasibility study into the options could be conducted at a later stage.

The borough council has received two expressions of interest regarding part use of the site. The first of these was received from the Wren Trust, which is interested in establishing a folk heritage resource base.

A second expression of interest has been received from a commercial organisation interested in running a children?s nursery in Okehampton.