CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a purpose-built youth centre in Minehead were in jubilant mood this week after civic leaders effectively opened the door to success. Somerset County Council's executive board approved a raft of development plans for its market/railway site on Wednesday. And included in the multi-million pound economy boosting plans - exclusively revealed in last week's Free Press - was a firm commitment to give the group spearheading the Minehead Eye project, which will provide a multi-facility centre to serve young people across West Somerset, the land it has fought hard to secure to enable the scheme to become a reality. The county's pledge means group leaders can now press ahead with drawing up a detailed business plan for the estimated £600,000 facility, engage architects and begin seriously to seek the grant aid the project will need to bring it to fruition. Minehead Eye spokesman Neil Parbrook said: "This is really excellent news and we are very pleased that the county council has approved this scheme to give Minehead what it needs. "It is up to us now to show that this project is going to work." Mr Parbrook said he hoped the business plan would be completed within the next couple of months and that the completed facility could be up and running by late 2007. "We are more confident than we have ever been that Minehead Eye will become a reality," he said. In addition to allocating land for the youth project, the executive board also approved proposals to earmark cash for half the £800,000 cost of providing 8,000 square feet of workspace for small businesses. Other proposals which won the backing of councillors were plans for a turntable for the West Somerset Railway, a transport interchange, a possible £600,000 building for 6,000sq ft of craft and local food production, retailing and exhibition activities, a market and car parking.
