A COMPROMISE is being reached on the enhancement scheme for the St James Chapel area in Okehampton following 'positive discussions' between the chapel trustees and officers from West Devon Borough Council.

Chairman of the trustees Rev Russell Chamberlain said he felt the 'tide was turning' and the officers were listening to the views of the people.

The authority came under fire last month for pressing ahead with a scheme that was not popular with the trustees and the townspeople.

Mr Chamberlain said the plan, which included a sculpture of a granite cross, was 'out of keeping and not sympathetic' to the historic chapel.

The scheme preferred by the trustees was one drawn up in 1998 by local architect Peter Woodgate which was less than a third of the cost of the borough council's scheme and considered 'more appropriate.'

The borough council's deputy chief executive, David Inman, agreed to have further talks with the trustees, although he said at the time he was surprised by the reservations which had not been brought up at previous meetings.

Mr Chamberlain explained that a compromise had been met and proposals were going forward to the Okehampton Traffic and Enhancement Group, who were due to meet last night (Wednesday.)

'Certainly the borough council is sitting up and listening and has been quite open to our ideas and thoughts,' he said.

'We are not returning to the trustees original scheme but elements of it are being brought in.'

He said there would be a heritage feature and a tree — the cross had been left out of the current proposals.

'We have had very long meetings which have been far ranging and encouraging and I believe we are working towards a very good compromise,' he added.

Mr Chamberlain said as a result of what had happened over the St James Chapel enhancement scheme, he expected to see much better consultation from the borough council in the future.

'I think the tide is turning because the council has got its fingers burnt,' he added.

He praised Cllr Christine Marsh who through her office as Mayor had brought everyone together and got the talks going.

Mrs Marsh said, since the dialogue had opened up, officers from the borough council had 'worked so hard and were so understanding about it.'

'I think they realise their idea of consultation and our idea of it are two different things.

She said the exhibition of ideas last summer in the Market Hall and the display at Okehampton Show and in the Okehampton OK office was not enough.

'A closure consultation with the people more involved in these schemes, like the trustees of St James Chapel, is essential,' she said.

Mr Inman said he was convinced that a scheme would come forward which would provide a very important area in the centre of Okehampton that all townspeople would appreciate.

'We have had two very constructive meetings and have been able to come forward with proposals which will go before the enhancement group and command full support from all quarters,' he said.