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Working wonders
Working wonders in North Devon
North Devon is an amazing district, and we’re working hard to make it an even more desirable place to live and work. We’ve been working on some really special projects over the last few years, which are breathing new life into our biggest towns of Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, and which will unlock significant social and economic benefits for the whole district.
Tarka Leisure Centre, Barnstaple
Tarka Leisure Centre at Seven Brethren, Barnstaple opened in June 2022, with pool facilities including a 25m eight-lane competition swimming pool and a 20m four-lane learner pool. Away from the pool there's a sports hall with four badminton courts, a large gym, multi-purpose exercise studios and Devon's first endless ski slope. The £15m centre was constructed by Speller Metcalfe.
The leisure centre was a winner at the UK Pool and Spa Awards 2023 in the Commercial Pool Project Of The Year category. It was also shortlisted for the Outstanding Technical Design award, while the leisure centre's operator, Lex Leisure, was shortlisted in the Operator of the Year category.
Plans to redevelop Seven Brethren are continuing to progress we are working hard to facilitate the build of up to 180 homes on the site. We are working with Tarka Living Limited to deliver the housing, which includes 30% affordable homes; of which 70% will be for social rent and 30% shared ownership, increasing the stock of much-needed affordable housing in the area. The homes will be built on the site of the old leisure centre, alongside the provision of flood defences and a new long-stay car park.
Ilfracombe Watersports Hub
The Ilfracombe Watersports Hub, in Larkstone Cove, opened in July 2023 after a number of years in the making. The Hub has given a new home to three of the town's local clubs - Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club, Y-Sail and Ilfracombe Canoe Club. The facility gave the clubs the opportunity to extend their memberships to the wider community and offer taster events to local residents and visitors, while giving them storage for boats, a slipway for safe and easy access to the water and disabled access and facilities.
For the wider public, commercial operators H2Outdoors, Active Escape and Nick Thorn are based at the hub, making it a destination for residents and visitors alike who wish to try outdoor pursuits such as stand up paddleboarding, kayaking and coasteering. National Scouts will also be using the hub as a base for watersports activities. Those using the hub have access to changing rooms and indoor and outdoor shower facilities.
The hub is also home to the Lime Kiln Café, which offers a delicious menu of locally sourced food and gives visitors breath-taking views of Ilfracombe harbour.
Market Quarter, Barnstaple
The Market Quarter project is the culmination of Barnstaple’s Future High Streets Fund bid. The project was developed following consultation with local people and our business community, and seeks to enhance both the quality of the town centre experience and the variety of offer, improving access via all modes of transport.
Our bid to the Fund was successful, receiving £6.5m from Government through their Future High Streets Fund programme, with £4.4m match funding provided by the council.
The project’s ambitious plans to transform the town is focused on the ‘Markets Quarter’ and there are four strands to the project, including the recent refurbishment of Barnstaple Pannier Market.
This element of the project focussed on repurposing and diversifying the market into a flexible space for a more varied and ambitious programme of markets, cultural events and community gatherings. See the before and after video!
An enormous range of refurbishment, repair and redecoration works took place, and the new and improved market reopened its newly glazed doors in November 2023. A number of exciting events have already been hosted under the market’s beautiful ceiling! This includes Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon, guided meditation and yoga events, silent discos, musical performances, bouncy castles, and a carnival-themed week.
Our aspirations for the future
We are proud of what we have achieved in recent years, working together and with the community to bring about improvements in the district. All aspects of our work are carried out within the framework of a corporate plan, which sets out how we will play our part in making North Devon a place where people want to live, learn, work and visit.
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