Plans to build a 'mini' Eden Project near J27 on the M5 near Tiverton have been given a cash boost.
£250,000 has been awarded to Project Eden to work up a detailed feasibility study around the launch of a new £200million attraction that will include a surf lake and an outlet shopping centre.
It is part of a £9.3million pot of Community Renewal Funding that will also help projects for disadvantaged and hard to reach communites, including Mid Devon Mobility and Petroc College.
The 'mini' Eden project is backed by Eden founder Sir Tim Smit, promoter Malcolm Dudley Williams with investors Friends Life, part of the Aviva Group.