Leisure facilities in Devon given government funding

Councillors agreed £20,000 for the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington

Nearly £1m is to be spent on arts and sport facilities in North Devon.

Torridge Council agreed to use government funds to create a play area in Bideford and improve swimming pools in the region.

It also agreed funds for an art gallery, theatre group and arts centre.

The council said the money from Defra's Rural England Prosperity Fund would help the organisations be more financially stable.

The council agreed to fund a new play area at Victoria Park in Bideford. The works, costing £150,000, are due to start in the next couple of weeks.

Councillors awarded Active Torridge £50,000 for improvements to Torridge Leisure Centre in Northam and Torrington and Holsworthy swimming pools, which it runs on behalf of the council.

Energy efficiency measures

Proposed improvements to save energy include replacing windows and pool covers at the pool in Torridge and replacing the front door at Torrington to reduce heat loss.

The council will also be looking at lighting, pumps, energy management, microfiltration and solar PV.

This comes as research finds that Torridge District Council's carbon footprint has more than doubled in three years.

Active Torridge has submitted a bid to Sports England for energy efficiency measures at all three leisure centres but it is predicted that the grant will only cover the cost of solar panels.

The council has also applied for government funds of £1.7m to decarbonise Holsworthy Pool.

The council also agreed to give Burton Art Gallery in Bideford £20,000, Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society £10,000 and the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington £20,000.

Councillors unanimously approved the latest allocation of funds after hearing that the money would save future spending on the leisure centres at a time when high running costs are putting similar ones at risk of closure.

It would also prevent costs being passed onto the public, said officers.