ALTHOUGH a majority of councillors were in favour of pushing forward plans for the Beehive Community Centre, a number of those who spoke against the plan expressed concern about the true level of support for the scheme in the town.

ALTHOUGH a majority of councillors were in favour of pushing forward plans for the Beehive Community Centre, a number of those who spoke against the plan expressed concern about the true level of support for the scheme in the town.

Councillor Roy Coombs, who abstained in the vote, expressed concerns about Honiton Community Centre Association, an organisation he claimed has been described as "dormant".

"I would have thought it would be a very large organisation. It worries me," he said.

"I don't think there is necessarily a demand for the centre," he said.

Councillor Ron Farnham said: "I am extremely worried. Honiton Community Centre Association has not come up to our expectations. It is not as if we have got dozens of people and organisations behind it.

"We have plenty of halls in Honiton at the moment."

Councillor Mike Allen said he was concerned about cash flow, adding: "There is a very slim margin of error here. The whole thing could go pear-shaped very quickly."

Councillor Vivienne Ash, the mayor, said the business plan had been examined by experts who were satisfied that it is sound.

Councillor Jeff Ayres said he was in favour of a community centre but feared, given the state of the economy, the time was not right.

Councillor John Taylor voted in favour of moving the project forward, but expressed concern about the hike in the borrowing facility - from �250,000 to �975,000.

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