Have Your Say on Grand Western Canal's Visitor Centre Scheme

DISPLAYS showing designs for the proposed new visitor’s centre at the canal basin are going on display for people to have their say.

The project, which will see the existing portacabin replaced by a purpose built visitor centre. It will be funded by the £240,000 allocated by Devon County Council’s ‘Investing in Devon’ Programme - money generated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport.

The public will be able to comment and discuss plans at the Canal Ranger Service offices in the Canal Basin on February 11 between 7 and 9pm. Members of the Canal’s Joint Advisory Committe and staff from Devon County Council will be on hand to discuss the development and feedback forms will be provided for visitors to complete.

On the following day, the display will be moved to the existing visitor centre in the Canal Basin for one week. All feedback must be received by the canal by February 26.

Councillor Roger Croad, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services said: “This new visitor’s centre will be an excellent way for visitors to learn more about the history and wildlife of the area as well as being an invaluable resource for schools, enabling local children to understand more about their local environment and heritage.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in the area to go along and give their feedback on the new centre designs.”

County Councillor, Des Hannon, member for Tiverton East and Vice Chairman of the Canal's Joint Advisory Committee, who spearheaded the bid for funding, said: "The detailed design of the new building is very high quality and good enough to complement our canal and to promote our town. The new building really will improve facilities in the basin for tourists and locals alike."

Councillor Paul Williams, Mid Devon District Councillor for Cranmore and Chairman of the Canal's Joint Advisory Committee added “A new visitor’s centre has been a long-held ambition for the Country Park, and I hope the designs for the new building will impress all those who visit the exhibition.”

It is planned that the new centre will be built later this year, ready for a formal opening in 2011 when the Grand Western Canal Country Park will be celebrating its 40th anniversary year.