Schemes worth hundreds of thousand of pounds which will revamp Newton Abbot's waterfront leisure spots have taken a step forward with the unveiling of a bid to create a new cafe kiosk, seats and public toilets on the Teign at Town Quay.

Also on the cards are major improvements to Victoria Gardens with better views of the River Lemon and a more relaxed atmosphere being promised.

The two projects were identified as priorities in the people-powered Newton Abbot community plan and are being championed by the town council.

The price tag to get them completed is set to top £300,000 and low cost borrowing through the Public Works Loans Board is being arranged.

A planning application for the Town Quay project has this week been submitted to Teignbridge Council.

Town clerk Phil Rowe said the initial cost of providing services such as power and water, without the kiosk's construction, was £70,000 but that the investment would not be made until permission was granted.

'We are doing this prior to the new bridge being built across the Teign early next year and which is part of the Sustrans cycle route,' he said.

'If we don't get planning permission there would be no point in paying to having the services installed.

'Hopefully though we'll get it and then we can start laying the kiosk's foundations as well as installing a high quality surface and new seating.'

The model for the new facility is Decoy Country Park where the kiosk is popular with families. Outdoor tables at Town Quay would allow walkers and cyclists to relax and at night the site would benefit from improved lighting.

At Victoria Gardens, where the River Lemon emerges from underneath Courtenay Street, £170,000 has been earmarked for improvements. If public consultation planned for later this year provides the thumbs up, raised beds and other obstructions keeping the river hidden would be swept away and the whole area given a major makeover.

Mayor Cllr Colin Parker said: 'The people of Newton Abbot provided a vision in the community plan. We're now delighted to be following up on that and helping to deliver what it is they've asked for.'