AN ANNOUNCEMENT this week that Hatherleigh is to receive a further £67,000 to take its regeneration plan forward is just the tip of the iceberg, according to the man at the helm of the project.

The money has come from the South West Regional Development Agency's Market and Coastal Towns Initiative — a scheme empowering local people and businesses to join forces to build better communities.

Funding will be used to help draw up a community plan to take forward a range of projects designed to breathe new life into Hatherleigh and its surrounding parishes.

Development worker for the Hatherleigh Area Project Charles Coffin said the town was now only six months away from putting the plan on the table and attracting the serious funding that was needed to really boost the area.

'This £67,000 has been earmarked to develop the ideas which were identified through a community consultation process which included improving village

amenities, expanding the local food economy, renewable energy projects and improving facilities for the young,' said Mr Coffin.

'But it is just the tip of the iceberg — if we get it right there will be a lot more money on the back of this. At the moment it is a case of putting all the groundwork in place.'

Hatherleigh has been identified as one of a number of market towns in the South West to benefit from up to £1-million from the regional development agency. The Market and Coastal Towns Initiative is also believed to be the key to accessing many more pots of funding ranging from the National Lottery to Devon County Council.

The latest cash will be used to produce an audit of all village facilities to identify the gaps, run a youth consultation event, fund a feasibility study into an innovative shop and post office for Exbourne, develop a renewable energy pilot project, help a tourist trail linking Hatherleigh with Holsworthy and promote a business brochure or food directory for the area.

There are also plans to expand facilities for market stallholders and the Hatherleigh Community Centre Project has been adopted by the RDA as a flagship project and model for other towns in the future.

Chairman of the Hatherleigh Area Project Professor Michael Winter said: 'We are delighted with this funding and the opportunity it gives local people to develop some of their plans. It is now up to us to focus our efforts on making Hatherleigh and its surrounding parishes a vibrant and healthy place to live.

'Last year's foot and mouth crisis compounded the tough challenges the area had already faced over the last two years, especially for the farming community. Now it is time to build for the future so that our villages and countryside will thrive, not just for the next two or three years but for the next 20 years.'

The project team are keen that all members of the community — from teenagers to young families and the elderly — come forward with their ideas.

Anyone who wants a say in how their community is shaped over the next two decades is invited to call the project office on 01837 810239.