£11 million Barnstaple regeneration to go ahead

But funding only provisional

A once-in-a-lifetime £11m transformation of Barnstaple town centre should be ready in three years' time.

North Devon Council has agreed to invest £4.4 million to add to £6.5 million coming from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

The council had for £9.45 million for four projects in the town, but got only 69 per cent required, so in a private meeting they agreed to borrow the shortfall.

The improvement form the ‘Market Quarter’, designed to transforming Barnstaple with quality retail, leisure and open spaces, where visitors want to come to spend money.

The scheme would provide a direct link from the Queen Street/Bear Street car park to the Pannier Market, High Street and through to the river front.

The Market Quarter project will regenerate a derelict listed building and façade on Boutport Street, and provide a new gateway from the car park  to Butchers Row.

The project incorporates a plan to pedestrianise an area from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. and improve Butchers Row and Cross Street.

When combined, these proposals are said to give a new heart to Barnstaple, making it a unique destination that will boost footfall and provide an enhanced experience for residents and visitors, a council spokesman said.

Lead member for economic development and strategic planning policy at North Devon Council, Cllr Malcolm Prowse added: “We are excited to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity to transform Barnstaple town centre.

“We are confident that borrowing this money is the right decision for North Devon as it will enable us to embark on an exciting course of improvements for Barnstaple, starting with the Markets Quarter, which is brilliant news for everyone who lives and works in the town, not to mention our tourists and visitors.”

Cllr Robbie Mack, who represents the Barnstaple Central ward, added: “We need a bold and ambitious project so Barnstaple can become the social and economic hub it should be. It will connect the whole town centre and provide more welcoming access for pedestrians and car park users to a newly revitalised Market Quarter. It’s a sustainable plan to safeguard the town’s future in the long term.”

The Market Quarter improvements were developed following public consultation. Feedback was analysed by consultants Lavigne Lonsdale, who went on to develop the Market Quarter projects together with the council.

Government funding is provisional at this stage and the council will now work with the ministry to ensure it is secured and the project can be delivered by March 2024.