Community facilities in Barnstaple, Bickington and Witheridge will be boosted by a total of £310,000 of public open space funding from North Devon Council.

The council's Strategy and Resources committee approved the release of Section 106 funds as its meeting on Monday, 7 July 2025.

Fremington Parish Council will receive £240,000 to extend the changing room pavilion at Tews Lane Playing Fields. The extension will provide equipment storage and a kitchenette to support the sports field's groups.

The allocation is funded from contributions from the Glenwood Farm, Oakwell Residential Home, and Mead Park developments.

Witheridge Parish Hall will receive £58,911 toward the cost of purchasing and installing cladding and insulation to improve the energy efficiency of the building.

The allocation is funded from contributions from developments on land off Butts Close and Broomhouse Park.

A further £11,078 will be used in Barnstaple, to install a permanent ball rebound fence at Tarka Leisure Centre's grass football pitch. The 40 metre ball stop fence will provide protection for members of the public and buildings from footballs. The project, costing £18,250, will be further funded by a previous allocation from the council's Strategy and Resources committee in July 2022 for improvements to the grass pitch.

The allocation is funded by contributions from the Larkbear development.

Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: "It's very pleasing to see public open space funding being put to good use to improve these community facilities and bring even more benefits to those who use them. I look forward to seeing them take shape in the near future."

Under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing extra community and social infrastructure as a result of the impact of new development in the area. These contributions can only be used for certain things, and are used primarily for public open space projects.

More information about S106 funding, including how communities can put forward projects, can be found on our S106 public open space funding page.