A LOCALLY-funded statue based on Okehampton's walking heritage is one of the features planned to enhance the area around St James' Chapel.
The statue will not be included in West Devon Borough Council's enhancement scheme but will be added at a later date.
The borough council's scheme has recently been amended in line with the wishes of the St James' Chapel trustees and now includes two trees, a themed cycle rack on the site of the old pig pound and benches instead of planters.
West Devon Borough councillors have formally approved the amended scheme and work on it is expected to follow on from the paving work currently being undertaken by Devon County Council.
Borough council deputy chief executive David Inman said the trustees were keen to see three sides of the chapel incorporated into the scheme and instead of pursuing the idea of a granite cross a deciduous tree was being put at the front of the chapel and another one to the south.
'The trustees are keen to see some sort of themed statue on the south side of the chapel based on Okehampton's walking heritage but that would not be paid for out of the council's pot — it would be locally funded,' he said.
The artist commissioned to come up with ideas to enhance Okehampton town centre, Ray Smith, is keen to work together with other artists to bring that concept forward, said Mr Inman.
Chairman of the St James' Chapel trustees the Rev Russell Chamberlain said he was pleased that a compromise had been reached on the scheme that everyone could 'live with'.
'It shows that local opinion is being listened to,' he said.
Okehampton was promoted as a walking centre in many magazines and leaflets and that was where the idea for the statue came from.
'St James was also the patron saint of pilgrims so it seemed appropriate,' he added.
'We hope to have a statue or feature which reflects Okehampton's heritage on the south side of the chapel near the Kings Arms.'
When interest had been gained locally it was likely that the trustees could tap into sources of art funding,' he said.