The redevelopment of Teignmouth's crumbling Carlton Theatre looks set to take a step forward on Monday with the likely approval of an £84,000 design package.

Also in the pipeline are plans for a public exhibition and the intention to eventually hand over the new building to a community management group.

A mixture of paid staff and volunteers would be responsible for the day to day running and the lease held by a community interest company whose profits would be used for the public good.

On Monday, members of Teignbridge Council's executive committee, its 'cabinet', will consider a report on the project.

With big hitters such as leader Cllr Alan Connett among its authors, approval is almost guaranteed.

The report will say that since the council decided to get rid of the theatre in 2007, much had been done to find out what to replace it with.

A 'very successful' consultation and the work of a Project Panel, on which sit members of the Teignmouth Players, has resulted in a scheme which could provide the town with its own version of Dartmouth's hugely successful Flavel Centre.

Teignmouth's new building, referred to in the report as the Carlton Centre, could boast not only performance space but become the new home of the town's library.

Retail opportunities could also be available. In Dartmouth the Flavel, whose patron is broadcaster David Dimbleby, has become one of the port's favourite bistros.

Funding of up to £1 million could be available from the national Seachange project to boost cultural schemes in seaside resorts.

Hopes to raise cash from the sale of the Brunswick Street development site have been hit by the credit crunch.

For now the Carlton project needs a further £84,000 to take the design to the stage where planning permission can be sought.

The report will recommend that the money is found.

It said: 'As the new centre will be a landmark building with a number of challenging design issues, there is a requirement for a higher level of detailed design.'

The public consultation is expected to be staged in May and an application submitted in June.