OKEHAMPTON architect Nils Westman said he was ?very encouraged? at the public response to the launch of a project to produce a town design statement.

Mr Westman, who is leading the initiative, stressed the need for action to get the project up and running at a public meeting last week.

Mr Westman called on people who live and work in Okehampton to get involved in the project to create the design statement which he believes can have a positive effect on the future changes in the town.

Mr Westman said there had been a good response from people following the meeting.

?We have got a broad cross section of interest. I hope it will grow. It?s a participation exercise and we want people to be heard, and give the town a proper say in planning politics.?

Mr Westman told the meeting: ?We want to get enough of a head of steam to get this project rolling.?

Mr Westman called on local people to get involved and help ?turn the statement into reality?.

He said it was important to get the project moving rather than just talking about doing things.

Mr Westman said he hoped the design brief would be suitable for use as supplementary planning guidance and would encourage sympathetic development as the town expanded.

The statement could have an influence on the design of new developments in the town and the preservation of historic features.

Mr Westman explained the next stage of work was the information gathering process which would be done in two steps.

Volunteers are needed to get involved in work looking at the character of buildings and the environment in distinct areas of the town and workshops looking at townpeople?s expectation for the future.

Mr Westman said small groups would be set up covering specific interests, meeting together and presenting information on their progress every two months.

The target date for completion of the document is this December.

Mr Westman said the statement would cover the built environment, areas such as: town centre history; riversides; traffic and parking, including the railway; approaches to the town; residential areas; business and tourism; youth issues; wildlife and environmental issues and culture; Okehampton as a service centre for the surrounding district and a future vision.

As supplementary planning guidance, Mr Westman said the statement would inform any potential developer about the designs and characteristics of buildings and the built environment that is important and acceptable to the people of Okehampton.

Once the town design statement is adopted it becomes a planning guidance document, this means it is mandatory for developers and planners to consider during the planning process.

The town design statement is an MCTI Foundation project, supported by SWRDA and the Okehampton Chamber of Trade.

To find out more about getting involved contact Nils Westman on 01837 55322 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]