From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, May 09, 2008

Residents in Exeter, East and Mid Devon will benefit from Devon County Council's sale of Exeter International Airport last year, as millions of pounds are invested in local projects across Devon.

The Council sold the airport for £60 million, and after first paying £12 million to cover existing borrowings against their previous investment in the airport, the Council has £48 million available for local projects.

In a first round of allocations, Exeter, East and Mid Devon are to get around £1 million, with further allocations to follow.

World Heritage Site Interpretation Centres £500,000

Exmouth and Seaton

The Intepretation Centres for Exmouth and Seaton are part of the Jurassic Coast Framework Project.

The aim of the project is to create new world-class interpretation centreS for the Jurassic Coast, celebrating the unique geology and associated wildlife. As well as being visitor attractions, the Centres will provide new employment and education opportunities.

This £500,000 is in addition to £500,000 already committed to these projects by the County Council.

Both Centres would be important parts of the two town's regeneration programmes.

Seaton Coastal County Councillor, and Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Margaret Rogers, said:

"This is great news for the Gateway Towns in order to progress and promote the Jurassic Coast. These will be landmarks in providing information and a focus for increasing knowledge of the Jurassic Coast while linking with other projects such as the Stop Line Way cycle route from the Bristol Channel to the English Channel. They will be important to the work, leisure and tourism features of the area."

Exmouth Littleham and Town County Councillor Eileen Wragg said:

"This is very welcome news for Exmouth, and for Devon as a whole. A great deal of work has been done over the past two years in trying to bring the project to fruition, and this money will be a significant step forward in achieving that aim. It will bring visitors to town and surrounding areas who will learn how wonderful our environment is, and that in turn will be good for regenerating the local economy."

Budleigh Community Youth Project £100,000

A new youth centre and drop in centre is planned for Budleigh Salterton. The £100,000 will be used to purchase the Venture Hall, currently owned by the Royal British Legion / Girl Guides and to make structural repairs to the building. The centre would be used for a variety of activities for young people, including promotion of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Meetings with the Church, Police, Town and District Council, and the public have all been supportive.

Local County Councillor Christine Channon, said:

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Devon County Council to invest in a venture that will provide a safe environment for the youth of our town."

Colyton Integrated Youth Provision £160,000

Colyton currently does not have any permanent youth provision. It has a Mobile Unit once a week, but that is judged to be inadequate considering that there are almost 1,000 young people aged 11-19 in the immediate catchment area for the proposed Centre.

The Centre would be used to deliver a range of youth support services including positive activities to promote personal and social development, as well as services provided by Devon County Council's Youth Offending Team; Connexions services; Drug and Alcohol services and other voluntary sector services.

Land next to the existing community hall has been secured for the proposed Centre.

Local County Councillor Barry Nicholson, said:

"The provision of a permanent integrated youth centre will be a welcome asset for the area. Indeed, money well spent."

Exeter (Wonford) Integrated Youth Provision £140,000

The existing Centre for young people is not large enough for the number of people it serves. Funding will make it possible to establish a larger, attractive and relevant venue.

Young people attending will enjoy a wider range of activities than are currently available, as well as being able to achieve qualifications in subjects including First Aid, Food and Hygiene, Senior Member training, Youth Achievement Awards, and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Young people will also be able to access volunteering opportunities from the Centre.

Local County Councillor Jill Owen said:

"I welcome the funding for this much needed facility and wish it every success."

Councillor John Smith, the County Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, said:

"I am very pleased that some of the money raised through the sale of the Airport can be used for children and young people's issues. The money will be spread over a range of programmes across Devon.

"The support we are giving to youth provision will make a significant contribution to reducing perceived and actual anti-social behaviour."

Footway/cycle way to St Leonards School £20,000

The School has had a Travel Plan for four years and has recently become a Bike-It school, and as a consequence there has been a significant increase in the numbers of families using more sustainable modes of transport to travel to and from school, particularly walking and cycling.

The existing footpath is often congested, and a new, wider footpath has been proposed to improve the safe access for young people.

Local County Councillor Jill Owen, said:

"This new path into the St Leonards School site will be an additional facility to the newly widened footpath on Topsham Road. For those pupils who approach the school from the Wonford Road area, it will be a safer and more convenient way in to their school. It should encourage even more cycling and walking to school and I am delighted that St Leonards School is benefiting from the airport money in this way.'

In addition, Devon County Council has set aside further £1 million for schools across the County, including Exeter, East and Mid Devon, for playgrounds and multi use games area improvements, and £1.5 million to improve energy efficiency within schools.

Councillor Brian Greenslade, the Leader of Devon County Council said:

"The successful sale of the Airport which netted £48 million for the County Council is now being invested in projects all over Devon. These are the first round bids for monies from the various funds, and further allocations of funding for worthwhile projects across the county will follow."

The funding available is split into Funds, targeting different areas of improvement:

A Local Projects Fund of £1.55 million total will support smaller projects which can make a significant different to towns and villages in Devon. This enhances the support that Devon County Councillors already give to projects in their local areas through the County Committee fund, which allows them £10,000 each year for one-off grants for community activities. The Local Projects Fund will allow them to bid for up to £25,000 for a project, together with the facility to club together for larger projects.

A Green Fund promotes carbon reduction and environmental projects.

A Community Fund is for projects that develop provision for young people, older people, community centres and library enhancements.

An Economic Development Fund is for projects that develop Devon's economy.

A Schools Estate Development Fund promotes schools projects which are unable to be developed as part of the named Capital Programme.

A Major Projects/Programmes Fund promotes projects of very significant importance to Devon, which meet several of the Council's strategic priorities.