A new long stay car park at Seven Brethren in Barnstaple will open next month.

The new car park will open on Monday, 13 January 2025, replacing the current Seven Brethren long stay site, which will close on the same day.

Located between the football pitches at Tarka Leisure Centre and the recycling centre, the new car park has 340 spaces and will serve as the home of Barnstaple Fair each September.

Permits will transfer over to the new car park upon opening, meaning long stay permit holders do not need to take any action before using the new car park. RingGo users will be able to park using the same location code of 3612.

Works have been completed by local contractor SEL Clarke. Groundworks for the car park utilised soil and stone from the demolition of the former North Devon Leisure Centre.

The site, which includes a traveller toleration site with amenities at the rear of the car park, has been delivered in partnership with Tarka Living Limited as part of the wider regeneration scheme for Seven Brethren.

Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council, Councillor Malcolm Prowse, said: "I'm delighted that the new Seven Brethren long stay will soon be open, providing a cost-effective long stay option for those working in or visiting Barnstaple, and providing a new home for the fair when it comes to town every September.

"Our thanks go to SEL Clarke for their hard work in delivering this facility, which is one part of the Seven Brethren regeneration. We look forward to working with Tarka Leisure Limited to realise the wider scheme."

As well as the new long stay car park and traveller toleration site, the Seven Brethren scheme will deliver new homes on the former leisure site and flood defences.

The council was awarded a £2.2m grant from the government's Land Release Fund (LRF) in 2019. The LRF was introduced to help councils unlock land for residential development.