COUNCILLORS have been encouraged by planning officers' response to their hopes of creating new civic offices and community facilities in Kingsteignton.

Two officers from Teignbridge Council met mayor cllr Keith Howard and deputy mayor Cllr Rob Harris to discuss the town council's ideas for the redundant Devon County Council community resource centre off Greenhill Way.

Cllr Howard had feared both authorities would block the idea to develop the premises, especially as the area is earmarked for housing development in the emerging local plan.

But he said he had been 'pleasantly surprised' by the reaction of the district planners.