IMPROVEMENTS to community amenities in Chulmleigh are on their way thanks to North Devon Council.

At a meeting of the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on November 1, councillors agreed to allocate £80,000 towards the cost of a new pavilion extension at Chulmleigh playing field and £38,000 towards a new “Learn and Play” area to cater for children of up to six-years-old at Davy Park in Chulmleigh.

The Committee also agreed other funding to help improve various community facilities in Barnstaple and Newton Tracey.

This includes:

• £1,015 towards the enhancement of the Willshire Fountain on the Square in Barnstaple

• £8,248 towards a new outdoor play area as part of the Tarka Leisure Centre project in Barnstaple

• £6,096 towards the provision of a non-turf practice bay at Newton Tracey Cricket Club

• £6,096 towards the provision of a wooden gazebo at Lovacott playing field.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, says: “As the Covid pandemic has shown us, our rural communities depend on vital public facilities like these. The council wants to use funding provided from new developments in these parishes to improve residents quality of life and make North Devon a better place to live.”

Selaine Saxby MP, acting in her capacity as district council ward member for Instow, says: “I am delighted that S106 is bringing community benefits to my ward. I have had the opportunity to visit the Lovacott Playing Field and have seen where the planned gazebo is going and would like to thank the Parish Council for all its hard work in bringing such great community projects to fruition in conjunction with the S106 team at North Devon Council.

“I hope to visit the Newton Tracey Cricket Club training bay when it has been constructed and am pleased that local sports clubs do get benefit from these funds as well.”

Local ward member for Chulmleigh, Councillor Kevin Davies says: "I am delighted these important projects have been brought forward for S106 funding.

“The pavilion extension will provide a significant upgrade on the quality and size of the present facility and is very much needed by the myriad of community groups and clubs who look to flourish once again following a very difficult period. The extension will offer more flexibility and more opportunity for all sectors of the community.

“Davy Park has been without play equipment for some time so the new Learn and Play area for the younger children will be hugely welcomed and will be a great compliment to the other park facilities available. Both projects will be enjoyed for many years to come."

Under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing extra community and social infrastructure as a result of the impact of a new development.

These contributions can only be used for certain things, but are used primarily for public open space projects.