A GRANT from Devon County Council is helping to improve sport,leisure and community facilities in Ottery St Mary.

A GRANT from Devon County Council is helping to improve sport,leisure and community facilities in Ottery St Mary.

�45,000 has been allocated from the 'Investing in Devon' programme which was generated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter airport, to build a new access road complete with fencing to an area of land near the Bowling Club on Strawberry Lane

A field behind the Bowling Club was not being used and the Club agreed to hand this land back to the town council in order for work to begin and to discuss how the land could be better utilised.

Several organisations are looking for a permanent home and an area to practice their recreational activities such as the local archery club, the otters play group, the football club, the croquet club as well as the community church group and the Ottery St. Mary Silver Band. The Ottery community group has also expressed an interest in creating a community garden and orchard.

The access road will be the first stage in developing better amenities for the residents of the town.

County Councillor Roger Giles who was instrumental in driving the project forwards says; "There's a huge shortage of recreational and cultural facilities in Ottery St Mary and many residents have to drive elsewhere in order to access amenities. We hope that this access road will be just the beginning in developing this land to provide the space we so desperately need. There is a lot of interest locally from various groups who need somewhere to go and practice and by giving them this area, not only will it provide a physical space for them to use but also help to foster and enhance community spirit."

It's hoped work will begin on the new road in early October

Read more in this Friday's Ottery Herald.