MORE play equipment for children living in the Whitchurch area could be in the pipeline — and residents are being encouraged to get involved in the new project.

Members of Tavistock Town Council's properties committee last week heard that currently, the Whitchurch play area had a triple swing and toddler slide, plus football goals.

But this was inadequate, particularly given the increase in population in the area following the Tiddybrook development, which only had a 'tiny' play space.

Cllr Mandy Govier said she 'whole-heartedly' supported residents who were pressing for investment in the village playpark. She said it would be a good idea to form a 'friends of Whitchurch' group which might be able to apply for grants to invest in play equipment. They could also visit the new play area at Courtlands, constructed with grant funding after a productive consultation exercise with residents, to see what had been provided.

Cllr Govier suggested the parents' group at Whitchurch Primary School may also want to become involved.

She said: 'We could learn a lesson from Courtlands and have everything in place for when a grant becomes available, but we need to get moving on this.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I quite agree — there's a dearth of equipment and there's a lot of young children up there.'

Cllr Harry Smith said Courtlands play park had shown what an 'excellent job' could be done when the council and residents worked together.

Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'We have £5,000 in the budget for play equipment this year, and there's a little bit more in the pot we have saved by good husbandry.

'If there's anyone in the area who would like to join in with this play park project, we would be delighted to hear from them.'

Col Howard said the Whitchurch play area, situated behind St Andrew's Church and the Whitchurch Inn, was a fairly large area. However, it was under-equipped and due for investment.

He said it was 'easily' walkable from Tiddybrook estate, and the West Devon Borough Council members of Tavistock Town Council would be urging the borough to release some of its Section 106 funds towards the project. These funds were paid to West Devon by the Tiddybrook developers Redrow, to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area.

Col Howard said he would be writing to the Whitchurch families who had been calling for better play equipment, and to Whitchurch School's parents' group.

l Anyone who would like to get involved in the Whitchurch play park improvement project should email Col Howard at [email protected]">[email protected] or call the council on 01822 613529.