WORK started this week on a £3.9-million self-financing business project, which will see new offices to rent, improved meeting areas for the community and a 'one-stop shop' for West Devon people. Builders are moving on site at West Devon Borough Council's Kilworthy Park premises as foundations are prepared for two separate two-storey extensions. One extension will be a commercial rental block bringing more employment opportunities to West Devon. The other extension will include several new meeting areas, which will provide flexible and up to the minute facilities for the community and a conference venue. It will be business as usual at the council's offices while the work is carried out over the next 16 months. Visitors to the offices will continue to be able to park in a small number of designated spaces nearby. As the council chamber is to be redeveloped, council meetings will be held alternately at Hatherleigh Community Centre and Meldon Village Hall. The building project will be self-financing and is expected to be completed in Spring 2008. The proposed sale of the council's Oaklands Drive office site in Okehampton, which has been earmarked for much needed sheltered housing for the elderly, will help finance the project. The development will include sustainable and energy efficient measures such as photovoltaic cells on the roofs to produce electricity, storing rainwater to be used for toilet facilities and innovative gas fuelled boilers which recover heat and reuse it. The new build will transform the borough council's reception into a one-stop shop and a small area of offices is being provided alongside so that council officers are readily available to the public. The new council chamber will have a dual purpose as a conference centre and it is hoped this will bring new visitors to West Devon and benefit the local economy.
