THE mayor of Holsworthy has called on Torridge District Council to ‘move swiftly’ to make the long-proposed Holsworthy agri business centre a reality after its progression was backed by the district authority’s councillors.

Amid months of uncertainty after fears that the project may be shelved in favour of using the funding for projects in other towns, at a meeting on Tuesday, December 9, councillors voted to continue with the proposals, which had been backed with £7.3-million of funding.

The centre will adjoin the thriving livestock market on New Market Road and is set to focus on agricultural innovation, retail and professional spaces. The livestock market at Holsworthy is already one of the largest in the south west and the £7.3-million of funding will be used to develop the infrastructure for extra retail and professional space around the site.

Earlier this year the project was listed alongside eleven other programmes across Torridge to receive a share of the £20.7-million funding from the government's Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme.

It represents the culmination of a turnaround for the prospects of the project, which looked to be in jeopardy in September.

Mayor Cllr Jon Hutchings issued a plea on behalf of the town for the ‘much needed’ plans not to be cancelled. The call came after he was informed by the MP for the area, Sir Geoffrey Cox (Conservative), that the proposals for the agri-business centre were the subject of a report to be discussed confidentially that could have seen the project cancelled.

However, with the news that the plans would now proceed, the mayor gave the news a cautious welcome, stating: “This project is well overdue. I am so happy to see that common sense has prevailed and Torridge councillors have finally agreed to take the project forward.

“Its not everyday a cheque for £7.3-million is handed to a small town like ours. Over the years many larger businesses have shown an interest in coming to the Agri centre development and I just we haven't missed the boat.

“My hope is that now the councillors have agreed the plans will go ahead, the officers at Torridge move swiftly to get the work done.”

His sentiments were echoed by Sir Geoffrey, who added: “I am pleased at the reassuring news that Torridge District Council has approved the progression of the Holsworthy Agri-Hub project. The Agri-Hub represents more than a third of the funding secured through the previous government’s Levelling Up initiative.

“This project will deliver significant benefits for the town, its surrounding communities, and the next generation of farmers, reaffirming Holsworthy’s position as the agricultural and farming heart of Torridge.”

Cllr Bob Hicks, lead member for economy and estates at Torridge District Council, added: "It's vital that we increase "home-grown opportunities" to encourage young people to stay in the area rather than move away. New investment, new business, new jobs and new money into the area - is desperately needed.

“I am looking forward to working with the team to ensure a successful implementation of the next phase."