BOVEY Tracey Town Council has confirmed its determination to improve community facilities in Heathfield by setting aside sufficient reserves to deliver a £60,000 children’s play park.
The authority is also continuing to hold talks with Teignbridge District Council about taking ownership of the existing park in Prince Rupert Way where the better equipment would be installed.
The renewed commitment was expressed by members of the Finance, Resources and General Purposes Committee (FRGP) when they met at The Riverside Centre.
Town Clerk Mark Wells talked through the council’s Capital Investment Programme, in which the play park scheme had been listed.
The meeting heard that although the Prince Rupert Way site had yet to be acquired, in a bid to save time, contractors had already been approached and had come up with a scheme costing £36,000.
But a second more ambitious project costing an estimated £60,000 had also been tabled and it was that which found favour with members.
A report from Ward Member Cllr Lisa Robillard-Webb which backed the enhanced proposal was shared with them. It read: ‘Heathfield does not have easily accessible pedestrian access to the wider facilities that BTTC has invested in for Bovey Tracey.
‘A good quality play park will offer local children the opportunity to play, rest and get fresh
air in a well thought out, safe, fun and welcoming space.’
Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, serving as Vice Chair of FRGP, welcomed her colleague’s recommendation and said: ‘It’s vital that we improve the quality of services in Heathfield as matter of urgency and I’m all in favour of the better scheme. I wouldn’t even mind if it ended up costing slightly more than that once the formal tenders are in, although we’ll ensure that council tax payers receive the best possible value for money.’
Mr Wells stated that Section 106 cash from developers would add more than £26,000 to the pot with the Town Council left to find the remaining £34,000.
Members voted unanimously in favour.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing attempts to provide better youth services for Heathfield, although members learned that a shortage of trained workers was a challenge they had yet to overcome.
More news
-
Eco heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside centre will cut emissions and bills
A NEW eco-friendly heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside Centre will cut carbon emissions and looks set to cost the town’s tax payers nothing, members have been told.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council awards £2,000 grant to discount food scheme
THE charity that operates a weekly discounted food scheme has been awarded a £2,000 grant by Bovey Tracey Town Council.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council agrees to appoint contractor for £60,000 Heathfield play park improvement scheme
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has agreed to appoint specialist contractors to carry out a £60,000 makeover of a tired play park in Heathfield.
Added: 10 September 2026
£20,000 CCTV installation in Bovey Tracey at no cost to residents
A £20,000 CCTV scheme looks set to be coming to Bovey Tracey with none of the installation costs being landed on residents.
Added: 10 September 2026
The Riverside Community Centre in Bovey Tracey looks set to get an artistic makeover, led by the town’s teenagers.
Creation of a ‘youth-friendly space’ in the building, owned by the town council and supported by the National Lottery, was recommended by officials from Devon Communities Together who had helped monitor The National Lottery Funding objectives.
Added: 03 September 2026
Grounds man Roger Rance - 25 years commitment to Bovey Tracey
WHEN unexpected redundancy forced welder/fabricator Roger Rance into early retirement at the age of 55, positive changes were to follow.
Added: 12 August 2026
Bike maintenance point available free to cyclists in Bovey Tracey
CYCLISTS passing through Bovey Tracey can make use of a new £1,200 bike repair point donated by members of South Devon Cyclists Touring Club (SDCTC).
Added: 09 July 2026
Local resident signs up as Deputy Town Clerk in Bovey Tracey
LOCAL long term resident Sonia McCauley has joined the small team at Bovey Tracey Town Council where she now serves as Deputy Town Clerk.
Added: 06 July 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council calls on developers to finish existing construction before project extends
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has called on developers to complete the first phase of new homes at the Longston Cross site before starting work on more than 100 others.
Added: 11 June 2026
Added: 28 April 2026
New name plaque gives historic corner of Bovey Tracey even more appeal
A much-loved and historic corner of Bovey Tracey has been given even more appeal with the installation of a smart new name plaque.
Added: 30 March 2026
Community Awards presented at Bovey Tracey and Heathfield Annual Town Meeting
A ten-year-old pupil at St Catherine's C of E Primary School has been named Bovey Tracey and Heathfield Young Citizen of the Year.
Added: 04 March 2026
For older news articles please click here to view our news archive.
