VILLAGERS in Williton are being given the chance to have their say on plans for an estimated £830,000 development aimed at creating a base for community and sports activities.

Local parish councillors are behind a project that would deliver a pavilion, multi-use games area and other improvements in the village's Memorial Ground.

And with an outline design for the proposed building now completed, councillors are preparing to take the scheme to the public with a special exhibition.

The three-day event in the parish office in Killick Way will open on Thursday February 6 and councillors are hoping for a good response.

"The project has moved a step closer to becoming a reality," said Cllr Bill Vaughan, who is leading the development.

Cllr Vaughan said it incorporated a number of initiatives to improve facilities and accessibility within the ground.

"Key to its success is the replacement of the existing changing room/community building with a new pavilion."

Cllr Vaughan said the design of the pavilion had evolved from the response to a recent survey and the requirements of potential funders, who could include the Big Lottery, Football Foundation, Sport England, West Somerset Council and EDF, the French energy company behind the proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station.

The new building, which would be on the Robert Street side of the ground and is likely to cost around £600,000, would have a slate rather than 'green' roof as initially planned.

Cllr Vaughan said it would have a limited capability for sporting activities but the sporting aspect would be supported by the installation of a multi-use games area on land bought previously by a group behind a now abandoned campaign for a village hall.

"Accessibility has always been problematic but will be addressed through improvements to the Robert Street entrance and improved pedestrian links," he said.

These include widening the entrance by about two metres and creating a three metre wide track for limited vehicular access.

Other features would include a new assembly area next to the war memorial that would double as a base for a portable stage, along with a planted area linking the pavilion to the memorial.

The groundwork improvements are expected to cost around £150,000, while the installation of the multi-use games area could take up another £80,000.

Cllr Vaughan said the council had been encouraged by the level of public support it had received, including from potential funders such as the district council.

A letter of support had also been received from youth services provider Minehead EYE who believe the pavilion would allow it to deliver and build on the youth service in Williton.

And Cllr Vaughan said discussions were also being held with a number of groups and organisations to ensure the building incorporated design features that would improve its accessibility and user friendliness.

"We believe the project will bring together a number of community inspired initiatives into a central hub that will provide a foundation to build a stronger sense of community within Williton," said Cllr Vaughan.

The exhibition will open from 10am to 2pm until February 8, with an additional evening session on February 7 from 6pm to 8pm.