AS Crediton expands and services come under increasing pressure how do we prevent our vibrant community becoming a dormitory town for Exeter?

This was one of the questions raised at a lively gathering of local community groups last Saturday (April 27), organised by the Crediton Heart Project.

The Heart Project was set up last year with the aim of “Keeping the Heart in Crediton” by improving opportunities and facilities.

The project’s plans include creating a website for the town and surrounding villages to support groups and venues.

Longer-term, the project hopes to build a new facility, with versatile spaces for arts, community services and small businesses.

“We have so many brilliant groups and organisations working hard to make things happen in our area, but many of them lack the space or resources to fulfill their potential,” said Rosemary Stephenson, Chair of the Heart Project team.

“We want to explore ways of supporting them as the town’s population expands,” she explained. “We have some very ambitious plans but they can’t happen without the support of the town. So this is just the start of a far reaching consultation process.”

More than 40 people, representing 28 community groups, gathered at the Boniface Centre to hear about these plans and share their views. The groups included CODS, U3A, the churches, Crediton Town Council, the Arts Centre, the Library, Crediton Youth Orchestra, Sustainable Crediton, the Disability and Access Group and several village halls.

The Heart Project was set up in 2018 by Crediton Town Team, to take forward their work on developing a new community hub.

The nine members of the team have a wide range of skills and experience in local government, project management, finance and community arts.

At the meeting there was widespread enthusiasm for the idea of a town website. “We feel a website would not only support the current venues and groups, but would help us understand where the gaps are,” said Rosemary.

Suggestions for content included information on town and village events, room and venue hire, as well as links to book tickets. It could also include details about transport, cycle and footpaths, accessibility, car sharing, volunteering and accommodation.

The groups were also asked if there were things missing in Crediton which the Heart Project could address.

Popular suggestions included a cinema, an auditorium for performances, more facilities for young people and space for small businesses to grow.

Other issues raised included the need for more parking and a more visible police presence.

It was noted that the town goes dead on a Saturday afternoon – what could be done about that? What about café facilities on a Sunday?

The Heart Team said they would use the ideas gathered at the meeting to extend their consultation.

They would then develop a feasibility and business plan. They said, funds permitting, they would aim to create the website within 12 months. The building would take some years, but, by starting the consultation now, they would be ready when any funding and a site became available.