Barnstaple regeneration plans approved

They include a riverside shopping centre with apartments and restaurants

Plans to transform a set of historic buildings into a riverside shopping centre with cafes and restaurants have been unanimously approved

Acorn Property Group and Wessex Investors’ scheme for the regeneration of the Oliver Buildings at Anchorwood Bank in Barnstaple was supported by North Devon Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

The site on the south bank of the River Taw has been derelict for 10 years, but the Grade II listed former Shapland and Petter furniture factory – which has been described by some as an eyesore – will now be given a new lease of life as homes and commercial space.

The scheme will see the existing buildings converted into 47 apartments, shops and restaurants, a new mixed-use four-storey block, and a second building which will have a mix of commercial and residential space.

A new plaza/piazza, similar to the Piazza Terracina down at Exeter Quay or in the Princeshay shopping centre in Exeter is also proposed to be created within the site

Planning officers had recommended that the scheme be approved, saying: “Finding a solution for this site is essential as the continuing deterioration of these listed buildings remains a concern and the regeneration of this very prominent riverside site will assist with maintaining the viability and vitality of the wider Barnstaple Town Centre.

“The scheme will secure a high quality development and a high standard of amenity resulting in the creation of a new and publicly assessable public realm next to the River and on the Tarka Trail which is a nationally renowned cycle route.

“There is public benefit to delivering a comprehensive mixed-use proposal on this site by way of securing the viable long-term future of this designated heritage asset whilst also delivering a sustainable form of development on the edge of Barnstaple town centre, including 50 residential units that will contribute to housing supply and the choice of homes in the District as well as additional commercial uses with their associated jobs and economic investment.

“The public benefits of the sites regeneration, the delivery of new housing and commercial floorspace are considered to outweigh the less than substantial harm to the heritage assets.”

Councillors on Wednesday unanimously agreed to approve the scheme, with work potentially beginning in the summer.

No tenants for the redeveloped Oliver Buildings have been named, but the planning permission enables the development to include shops, offices, restaurants and cafés, drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, as well as non-residential institutions such as clinics or art galleries, and leisure uses such as a gym.

Wessex Investors have been responsible for the rest of the shopping and restaurant units at the Anchorwood Bank.

The shopping district already boasts a large Asda supermarket, a Next, Iceland Food Warehouse and DFS, while there will also be 172 houses built on the site by North Devon Homes.

The two large units at the Anchorwood Bank site in Barnstaple had been due to host Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito restaurants, but following the brand’s owners, The Restaurant Group (TRG), announcing it would be closing between 75 and 90 of the restaurants, it is currently unknown if they will still be moving into the Barnstaple site.