Last Wednesday in the Memorial Hall the people of Holsworthy and the surrounding area were given the opportunity to view plans for recreation in the town over the next 10 to 20 years, to discuss them with the Mayor, Town Councillors and members of the MCTi committee, then to give their views by completing a questionnaire, writes Christine Williams, our Holsworthy correspondent.
The displays were on four key areas. A map impressively showed how much of the cycle way from Hatherleigh through Holsworthy to the Cornish border had already been constructed or acquired and small sections still under negotiation.
Plans for Stanhope Park included a refurbished children's play area with new equipment and separate areas for younger and older children. To create a pathway beside the River Deer in a natural environment on the edge of town was the aim of the Deer Valley Initiative. A feasibility study is under way to create a route taking walkers from Rydon Bridge to the Derriton Viaduct, passing through an area rich in bird life.
Most controversial were the council's plans for the old show field which is now owned by Catesby Estates who in an exhibition in the Memorial Hall last October revealed their proposal to build 150 houses on the 6.2 hectare site. One quarter of the site would be seen as an extension to Stanhope Park and include a sports pitch, skateboard park and a car park.
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In contrast, under the town council's plans, the whole site would be exclusively for recreation. They include two senior games pitches 95m x 65m, a youth pitch 80m x 50m, a sports pavilion, skate-park and a car park also serving Stanhope Park.
The current Local Plan earmarks the whole of the former show ground for recreation, but this is to be replaced by a Local Development Framework for the next 18 years, which is currently being produced jointly by Torridge and North Devon which will need to provide for substantial housing growth.
Holsworthy's Mayor, Cllr David Smith, said it was vital to keep the whole of the show ground for much needed recreational use, providing facilities not only for the town but also for the surrounding area. It was also important, he said, for the public to say what they wanted as, armed with their support, the council could then set about finding funds to make their dreams a reality.