OKEHAMPTON and its surrounding area is on the verge of a major regeneration project where local people will decide the future development of their town.

Tonight (Thursday) a meeting will be held to discuss the formation of a steering group to take forward the market and coastal town initiative, which earmarks £1-million for Okehampton and its hinterland.

Okehampton was identified by the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) as one of seven Devon market towns to take part in the initiative in which it will bid for cash for community projects — Hatherleigh was another.

Spokesman for the RDA James Harper said this was a real opportunity for local people to have an input in the future structure and development of their town.

Rather than agencies calling the shots and deciding what then= town needed it was very much a 'bottom-up' process, he said.

'This is all about giving power to people within the community — they will have a real stake in the regeneration of their town,' he said.

'Okehampton and other towns which have suffered hard times recently due to the foot and mouth crisis, now have the chance to put together a community plan which will help them face the future.'

The South West Regional Development Agency's Market and Coastal Town Initiative is expected to make a real difference to towns in the region over the next five to ten years.

Creating job opportunities, restoring high streets and improving local transport are just some of the initiatives for which the money will be used.

Mr Harper said the £1-million figure was a guideline and the potential for this project was 'huge'.

'The whole thing depends on the needs of the town — it could be more money, it could be less. There is a pot of money there just waiting to be accessed.

'This is an RDA scheme but it will be community-led, so now is the time for local people to get on board.'

A small working group, made up of representatives from the borough and town councils, the North Tawton Development Trust and Okehampton and District Council for Voluntary Service has recently been formed and is now at the stage of extending the process to other agencies and individuals.

Anyone who is eager and enthusiastic about the project is welcome to become involved — they do not have to be part of an organisation.

Paul Tucker from the RDA said the Okehampton project would be slightly more complex than some because it included two other towns in its hinterland— North Tawton and Chagford.

He said although there was some money immediately available in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis for community projects, he did not expect major funds to filter through to Okehampton until next spring.

'Projects need to be identified and there will be a fairly lengthy consultation process,' he said. 'One of the areas already mentioned to us is the Old Mill site and a potential heritage project which could be developed there.'

Okehampton town clerk John Winchester said under this scheme the town had the opportunity to realise funds quickly and match-fund this money from other sources.

'Here we have a chance to achieve the aims of the residents and create an environment that suits its location and its people,' he said.