The Ivybridge Regeneration Group developed its Community Action Plan in May 2004 following many public consultation events, themed meetings and feasibility studies. From the consultation exercises Key Themes for the town evolved and specific project ideas were developed. Where necessary working groups of interested local parties have been established to actually make things happen!
The Action Plan has the following aims, which represent the issues most important to the local community.
Active Ivybridge: to encourage participation in formal and informal physical activities across all age ranges and abilities. A “Walking for Health” pack was produced and distributed to every household in July 2005 and a walking festival took place in and around Ivybridge in April 2006.
Community Life: to restore a sense of community to the town following its rapid population growth. A Community Diary has been produced monthly since May 2003.
Library/Resource Centre: to provide a central information, cultural and social hub for the town. This project is curently being built.
Town Centre Regeneration: to revitalise the town centre for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors. The Ivy Card has been developed to encourage loyalty to local shops and the Tourism Working Group is developing promotional tools to improve local tourism; for example, by means of the “Beauty of Ivybridge” leaflet launched in February 2006.
Transport Needs: to influence the provision of safe and effective transport solutions, particularly with regard to access to health care facilities i.e. Derriford hospital. An Ivybridge Rail Users Group was formed in August 2004 and this body has been very successful in raising the profile of the station.
Youth Issues: to provide improved services and facilities for the areas large youth population. A new Youth Centre has now been built next to South Dartmoor Leisure Centre and was opened in late 2005.
In the villages around Ivybridge the important local issues were identified as transport and traffic management, lack of affordable housing and a lack of facilities for young people. Although it was felt that the first two issues could be best addressed by a partnership approach across the wider area, many local projects developed out of the community planning process. These included:
- New village hall in Bittaford
- Skateboard park project in Brixton
- New resource centre in Modbury
- New parish room in Yealmpton
To find out more about what is happening in and around Ivybridge please visit the Ivybridge Town Council website.
