Town Management Committee discuss regeneration plans and how best to spend the pot of funds available

The Town Management Committee held a meeting on Monday 23 to discuss the regeneration of Honiton.

Included within the agenda was a report referring to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 funding.

The money is derived from charges put on new developments in the area, which can be used to "develop facilities to support the additional residents living in the community," according to East Devon District guidelines.

Sports and play facilities are the focus to receive funding, which is being discussed by Honiton Town Council.

The sums of money available and the criteria are as follows:

a. Play area projects - £9, 892.29

b. Sports project - £33, 750.42

c. Open spaces - £78, 669.22

d. Littletown Play Area specific - £1, 545

As of yet, the allocation of a substantial proportion of the available funds has not yet been decided. If you have any ideas, then contact Honiton Town Council - they are keen to hear from members of the community.

Chair of the Town Management Committee, Duncan Sheridan-Shaw explained: "The committee was set up about a year ago to work on developing the town centre – the High Street, New Street – working with the community and Tony McCullom to find out what the community needs, what it wants and how we can use this to build our town.

"We have to be realistic, of course. Some suggestions we receive, such as people wanting a Primark in Honiton, just aren't feasible – in terms of the logistics and having the infrastructure in place to support it.

"We are all about promoting the independent businesses who trade in our town – the fantastic Howling Wolf Coffee for example – and changing people's perception of Honiton as more of a destination.

Another idea was put across by Councillor John Zarczynski, who said: "We need to conserve green spaces within the town centre area – so people can take time off from shopping and have somewhere nice to sit and relax.

"The piece of land just off Dowell Street, next to the auction rooms, has been wasted for years. It's got some lovely trees in it – and the bridge over the river Gissage, which is currently missing, but we are looking into replacing."

If you have any ideas to put forward, contact Honiton Town Council via the red button below.