Residents’ group seeking support for new development.

A Seaton residents’ association has unveiled ambitious plans to develop a �250,000 community centre.

It is now seeking support - to prove there is a need for the facility, which aims to provide people with somewhere to meet, eat meals, watch television, play games and chat.

Flo Townley, secretary of the Mead Way and St Gregory’s Residents’ Association, which represents people living in sheltered accommodation, is urging anybody in support of the proposal to make their views known in writing.

She told the Midweek Herald that East Devon District Council is willing to let the association develop the centre on a strip of land behind Seaton fire station, subject to planning consent.

However, the association first has to establish a need for the facility.

“There are many places for meetings in Seaton, I know,” said Flo. “The town hall group has done a great job, but, for many, the venue is too big.

“Church halls are used by many, including us, but they are not always suitable.

“What we are looking to build is a small community centre capable of seating about 25 people for meals.”

Flo said folding tables could be used, with easy chairs provided for people to enjoy chats.

Television and music facilities, as well as bookshelves, are envisaged, along with full facilities for the disabled and solar panels to help offset running costs. “We had nothing to lose when we wrote to the district council, asking if we could use its land behind the fire station,” said Flo.

“They wrote back and said ‘yes’.

“Now we have got to prove there is a need.

“It is all part of going through the initial stages.

“What people want is somewhere to go where they can yap until the cows come home.

“It is an exciting and scary project all at once, but we feel it has to be given our best efforts.”

The association hopes to fund the project through grants.

If you would like to support the proposal, email Flo - flongetown@yahoo.co.uk - or write to her at 9 St Gregory’s Court, Seaton.