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Royal seal of approval for Princetown regeneration projects

14 September 2009

Two projects completed with the support of investments by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) have received the Royal seal of approval with a visit by Prince Charles.

His Royal Highness visited the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity and the Princetown Village Centre during a visit to the Dartmoor village of Princetown as part of a Devon-wide tour on Friday, September 11.

The Duchy Square Centre for Creativity, which opened in March 2009 is designed to encourage new and emerging artistic talent in Devon and to provide premises for individuals to produce and showcase their work. It was built with the help of a £410,000 investment by the RDA.

Prince Charles also visited the Princetown Village Centre which has provided a real focus to community life in the village as well as a range of improved services for residents including a new library facility, children's centre, doctors' surgery and training and support for individuals and small businesses. The RDA contributed £310,000 towards the £1.6 million centre.

Les Roper, Partnership Adviser with the South West RDA, said: "Our support for both these schemes was part of a wider regeneration project for Princetown involving partners such as Devon County Council, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Big Lottery Foundation.

"The result is new facilities which greatly improve access to vital services for this remote community as well as encouraging enterprise and giving practical support to unlock the business potential of the creative community here."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic recovery.

The partners involved in the Princetown projects are:

Duchy Square

  • Devon County Council
  • Duchy of Cornwall
  • Integria Strategic Solutions
  • South West RDA (Regional Development Agency)
  • DNPA

Princetown Community Centre

  • Devon County Council
  • Duchy of Cornwall
  • South West RDA (Regional Development Agency)
  • Big Lottery Foundation
  • Sport England
  • Tudor Trust
  • Garfield Weston
  • Biffa
  • Foundation for Sport and Art
  • Dartmoor National Park
  • West Devon Borough Council