NEW ideas for the design of the £2 million Newton’s Place community space and museum project go on show to the public this weekend.

Drawings from architects and designers will be unveiled by the team behind the scheme to convert the former St Leonard’s church.

With several weeks to go before a planning application is submitted for the building, residents are being encouraged to give their views on the proposals.

Phil Rowe, Newton Abbot town clerk, said: ‘Throughout this project we’ve worked hard to ensure that it’s being led by what the community needs.

‘People have told us loud and clear that they want better facilities for meetings and exhibitions, and of course a bigger more accessible museum.

‘We’re doing everything we can to deliver on those requests and would welcome peoples’ thoughts on our latest ideas.

‘There will always be compromises of course, brought about by budget constraints and the need to respect the fabric of a Victorian listed building, but I’m confident that with residents’ input we’ll achieve something to be proud of.’

The former church in Wolborough Street was bought by the town council in 2016.

Several surveys among residents had revealed the demand for improved community facilities in the town centre.

Research also showed that the current museum was difficult to find as well as being too small to display much of the collection and unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

This summer the scheme received a huge boost when the Heritage Lottery Fund pledged up to £950,000 of Lottery Players’ money.

Mr Rowe added: ‘We can’t realise our ambitions without the support of people in Newton Abbot and the surrounding communities.

‘We’re very grateful for their support to date and hope they will continue to get behind us and deliver a wonderful facility we can all enjoy.’

The public exhibition runs from 10am to 2pm tomorrow (Saturday).