An ambitious plan to rejuvenate Okehampton’s high street has been initiated with aspirations to secure funding for a town centre access road.

The town council, in partnership with West Devon Borough Council, is due to submit an ‘expression of interest’ in applying for consideration for a share of Central Government’s £675-million Future High Streets Fund. The town council working group, set up to spearhead the application, will be requesting funding to build a town centre access road (TCAR) to alleviate traffic congestion in the town and allow the high street to be used in a more diverse way.

Okehampton Town and West Devon Borough Councillor Julie Yelland said the grant was very much ‘aspirational’ as each local authority in the country could only submit one application and Okehampton had been nominated for West Devon.

She said: ‘The purpose of the Future High Street Fund is for the regeneration of the high street but not from a retailer’s point of view, it’s about using the high street in a more imaginative way to increase footfall.

‘The first stage of the application is to submit an expression of interest outlining the concept which needs to be supported by all the tiers of local government, the public funded sector, private sector and community groups. We need to demonstrate that, should we be successful in our application, it will lead to the town centre being able to be used in a more creative and imaginative way, thus ensuring the sustainability of the town itself. It is not about attracting retailers to the town as that is deemed to be a commercial issue, but about alternative ways of using the town centre. Obviously, increased footfall will benefit the local traders which is a good thing.

‘Our concept is to request a grant to build a town centre access road to alleviate the severe congestion that occurs throughout the day in the centre of the town.

‘If successful, this will allow the community and traders to be more creative and diverse in their approach as to the centre’s use. For instance, street theatre, temporary art installations and community events. There is tremendous community spirit within the town and lots of imaginative ideas that could be developed to take advantage of the drive and passion that already exists.

‘This proposal will go some considerable way to ensuring the long term sustainability of the town, benefit the local economy, encourage tourism and improve air quality.’

Okehampton is in the process of creating a neighbourhood plan and two items high on the list of what the community said it wanted was a TCAR and the re-establishment of the rail link between Okehampton and Exeter.

‘The emerging Joint Local Plan also recognises the need for a TCAR to relieve congestion.

‘This is in the very early stages,’ said Cllr Yelland. ‘We still have a lot of work to do.

‘If we are successful in this first stage then we will have to set up a full business plan. It is a long shot.

‘We might not get it but we’ve got to give it a go and give it our best shot.’