If you live in Crediton or one of the many surrounding villages, you cannot have failed to notice that that the town is growing. In the coming years, there will be a significant increase in population. Will we keep the strong sense of identity and community we have now? The Crediton Heart Project believes we can, but action is needed to prevent Crediton becoming a dormitory town for Exeter.

Set up last year by local volunteers, the Heart Project is a not-for-profit organisation working to promote and support our vibrant arts scene, community groups and local enterprise in our town and villages. Our aim is to keep the heart in Crediton by increasing opportunities for all.

In April we invited representatives of 28 community organisations, from the town and villages, to gather in the Boniface Centre to hear about our plans and discuss their needs and ideas.

Online community

At this meeting there was wide support for a new website to promote our thriving town. It would carry information about town and village events, room and venue hire and much more. The Heart Project team has already started work on fundraising to make this happen.

Community building

There was also much interest in a new multi- purpose building that would complement existing venues. This facility could offer much-needed space and resources to the diverse groups within our town; to young people, children's groups and the elderly; to provide studio space for the creative arts and a shared workspace for local entrepreneurs. It would support larger audiences for shows, musicals, film screenings and social occasions. Such a building would be self-sustaining, not relying on grants, creating jobs and opportunities, while increasing footfall to local businesses and organisations.

This is clearly an ambitious project. No site has been identified yet and, in the current economic climate, it will be hard to raise the substantial funds required. However, The Heart Project, with its innovative plans, moulded and supported by the community, could make all the difference.

So we need to know what YOU think. What would you want from a new building? What spaces does the town need? The more people who let us know what they want, the better the needs of the whole community will be reflected.

You can find out more and have your say by visiting this website; or, if you prefer paper, pick up a Heart Project leaflet and questionnaire at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre, Crediton Library, Tesco, Morrisons or in shops, pubs and cafes in and around the town. You can also find us on social media: facebook/creditonheartproject instagram/creditonheartproject