VILLAGERS who opposed a proposed community youth building at Shaldon have been accused of 'not moving with the times'.

In a recent referendum, a majority voted against the Turner Centre project at King George V Playing Field, and a planning application for the building was then withdrawn.

Richard Dorey, chairman of the group promoting the facility, has now hit out, saying the aim was to provide a much-needed building for the youth of the village.

'It would have been a state-of-the-art building for the youngsters, as well as providing changing facilities and showers for footballers.

'But the village was not prepared to move with the times and agree to change. Many wanted to maintain the area as a grass play space.'

He went on: 'I walked the area recently, and counted 36 dog faeces. An area for kids to play on? I don't think so.

'I challenged the No contingent and the parish council to sit down with us in an attempt to find an acceptable solution to go forward. During a meeting, it was concluded that a need existed and the present halls in their current state were not adequate.'

Mr Dorey said:'It was decided to pass the problem to the parish council to find a solution, and to investigate the possibility of investing in, and making better utilisation of the existing halls.

'The Turner Centre Steering Group will be disbanded as it is no longer relevant, but a new body will be formed – Action for Youth.

'We may have lost the battle, but the war continues.'

Meanwhile, Shaldon Pre-School which may have used the proposed building, has complained that the temperature in the Victoria Hall, where it meets, is below the legal minimum, and unless improvements are made, the school could close.

A recent check by the Teignbridge environmental health department revealed that the temperature was 9.7°C, way below the required 16°C.

There was also a lack of hot water in the toilets, which also contravened the regulations.

Rozel Ridgeway, from the pre-school, in a message to interested parties, said that as employers, they were liable under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A plan of action was being drawn up to try to improve the heating and insulation at the hall in conjunction with the hall trustees.

'As this problems falls at our door as an employer, I feel it will be at our expense that we have to find a solution. I will also be offering to help work with the trustees, and to try and obtain funding for any improvements.

'We have to work together on this as the trustees are responsible for the building, and we are responsible for the staff.'

She added: 'In the sad event of not satisfying the health and safety requirements, we will have no choice but to close the pre-school and make all the staff redundant, rather than face court action.'