A two-year search for a youth play area in Heathfield has borne fruit thanks to a generous land owner and a sympathetic district council.

Now the hunt is on for the cash which will ensure the dream comes true.

A patch of land next to the Sparkworld electrical store has planning permission for new industrial units but the recession has put the scheme on hold.

Now the owner, Marion Crausaz, has agreed the plot can be given a makeover and, for the next three years at least, provide somewhere safe for youngsters to meet and kick a ball around.

A portable building will act as a youth centre, another used to store equipment.

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On Friday, Teignbridge Council signalled its support by agreeing to temporarily alter the sites planning permission.

The campaign to improve the lot of Heathfields teenagers has been spearheaded by Bovey Tracey Town Council with members and officers working with the police and community groups, such as the youth cafe, to get the ball rolling.

Cllr Kelly Westbury, youth club leader and a mother of two who represents Heathfield, is delighted.

Its fantastic news as currently the youngsters use the community centre but that has a licensed bar and limits what we can do, she said.

There has been a total lack of dedicated youth provision in Heathfield but thanks to the support of the town council were now heading in the right direction.

Marion Crausaz also needs to be congratulated.

It is thought the cost of running the new facility could be in the region of £35,000 per year if qualified staff are to be on hand five evenings a week.

James Cadoux-Hudson, secretary of Bovey Tracey Youth Cafe, called on businesses in the area to dig deep.

Although its too early to say exactly what it might cost it would be ideal if a group of businesses approached us with an offer of help as funds for voluntary organisations seem to drying up at the moment, he said. We would also encourage more people to volunteer with us as Heathfield badly needs this youth centre and we know it could be of great benefit to the whole community.

In addition to the planned input from the youth club and youth cafe, the site could also receive weekly visits from the Streetreach Team bus operated by Christians Together.

The Teignbridge Heathfield Teepee Play Ranger project could also be based there.

The future of the site, and the provision of youth facilities in Heathfield once the three year temporary planning permission ends, remains the subject of debate.