PROVIDED planning permission is granted Chudleigh Knighton could have a community centre and new educational facilities on the edge of the village.

Landowner Fred Willis owns some 35 acres opposite the play park and has offered part of it to the Land in Hand Trust – a Community Land Trust.

Shortly an application is going into Teignbridge Council from First Steps Homes to build around 20 affordable homes on a section of the site.

Mr Willis says it is an exemption site and if it receives permission a community centre would be ideal.

'Last week it was highlighted in the Mid-Devon Advertiser that the pre-school is looking for its own space and this would be right for them,' he said.

Mr Willis says he would hand part of the land to the trust and that would mean the community would always own it.

He added that there were no facilities in Chudleigh Knighton where until recently he had lived for 26 years.

'I am nearly 60 and my interest is still with the village. The school playing field is adjacent to my fields and it could facilitate any future educational requirements.

'That could be a community centre, community projects, pre-school and any educational needs.

'Obviously I cannot give all my land away. I am not that rich,' said Mr Willis.

He firmly believed that youngsters needed the facilities in this day and age. 'This is the way of extending your hand to future generations,' he said.

The Land in Hand Trust will be dealing with all the negotiations.

Its chairman Douglas Laing said it was set up to put any assets, such as land, parks, etc, into a charitable trust which could never be sold and would always remain for the benefit of the community.

Mr Laing said once the half acre of land was handed over it would be a gift without reservation and Mr Willis would have no more input.

'We would negotiate with whatever organisation is put forward by Chudleigh Knighton, be it the parish council, a children's organisation, or whoever, to find out exactly what the community wants,' he said.

Mr Laing said the negotiations would be carried out by the trust's chief operating officer Phil Vogel and himself. Both positions were voluntary and other trustees would be appointed.

Hennock Parish Council chairman Cllr Bill Stanyon said as an interested party he felt there was definite room for proper facilities for several different groups in Chudleigh Knighton.

'As nice as it is and while the village hall is in a good position, it is an old building not adapted for modern needs.

'I know there is some resistance to moving the hall but does the village want to move forward or stand still.

'I would like to give villagers every opportunity to think about what they need. If they don't want it, so be it,' said Cllr Stanyon.