AN AMBITIOUS proposal for a new sports and community centre for the village of Lamerton moved a step closer last week when the project received the approval of members of West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee.

The building would provide a main hall used for badminton, short mat bowls, volleyball, and table tennis as well as meeting rooms, kitchen, store, toilets and changing rooms.

The site is located immediately to the east of the Blacksmith?s Arms at Lamerton, on the land currently used as a recreation field.

Lamerton Parish Council had raised concerns that the proposed centre would take up areas of existing playing fields. This concern has also been reflected in letters from residents, who also raised the issue of increased traffic movement and the close proximity of the building to the Blacksmith?s Arms and the living accommodation above.

Letters of support for the proposal make the following points: the present hall is considered to be barely adequate to cope with all the use, the new hall would provide both indoor and outdoor facilities and would benefit the village primary school.

The application by Lamerton parish hall committee proposes the use of materials matching the surrounding area ? slate, render and stone with timber windows and doors.