Cash injection for Pilton projects

Pilton residents are to benefit from £32,000 worth of improvement projects to the ward.

£20,000 is being spent on installing a new CCTV camera along Pilton Causeway to tackle anti-social behaviour in Pilton park and the area around the toilets. 

A further £12,000 will be used to fund improvements in Rotary Gardens to make it more accessible and useable for the local community.

The projects were approved in October 2012, when North Devon Council agreed to release Section 106 funds for the work.

Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Derrick Spear, says: "I'm really pleased to see Section 106 funds put to good use. This is money given by developers to provide community facilities in the area, as part of an agreement in larger planning applications - it isn't council tax money. It's particularly encouraging to see that these facilities are being provided in response to requests from the community."

Local ward member for Pilton, Councillor Brian Greenslade, says: "Work has already begun at the gardens, which have become overgrown in recent years. This includes a new path through the park down to the pond, more seating, a tree trail and information boards focusing on the park's history. It has really given the garden a new lease of life, which we hope will make it a more welcoming and enjoyable place to visit."

Local ward member for Pilton, Councillor Mair Manuel, says: "These projects were first identified at a community action day in 2009, where we asked local residents what improvements they would like to see in their area. As well as CCTV and the work at Rotary Gardens, new benches have already been installed along North Road and improvements have been made to the children's play area in Pilton Park. We have also contributed to a community heritage project called the Pilton Story, which is ongoing."

The results of the Pilton community heritage project are available to view online at www.thepiltonstory.org.