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.