Change of plans for Bideford’s Brunswick Wharf development

People in Bideford ae being asked to have their say on amended plans for the major redevelopment of Brunswick Wharf.

Long a derelict eyesore on the banks of the Torridge, the site already has planning permission for a mix of residential and retail units plus a restaurant.

But developer Red Earth has amended its plans due to rising costs and now wants feedback from the public on changes to the original scheme.

The amended plans now propose more space which opens up views through the development, as the four-storey linking blocks have been removed from the Barnstaple Street side of the scheme.

The three main apartment blocks will also have varying pitched roof lines that are more in keeping with the previous buildings on the site.

The retail units will be on one level, including the restaurant and a space for a pop-up café, rather than it being in a standalone unit. In its place will be public car parking which had originally been designed to be in an under croft.

The new car park will also serve as a location for outdoor events alongside the planned public square and riverfront walkway.

Simon Friend of Red Earth said: “Torridge District Council gave us the green light for our plans after we’d asked local people to help us shape the residential, retail, restaurant and public square elements of the development back in March 2021.

“Since then, we’ve cleared and cleaned up the land, spent £1million on restoring and repairing the Quay wall and, like everyone, have had to deal with rising costs.

“This has meant we’ve had to look again at our original plans and make some changes which will allow us to cope with those extra costs whilst in many ways improving the overall appearance of the development.”

Simon added: “The amended plans will allow us to deliver a viable mixed-use development that will help to regenerate the area and provide valuable amenities to the East-the-Water side of the river.

“We’ve listened to retailers and amended our plans to make better use of that space and ensured both the restaurant and space for a pop-up café remain included. The changes allow us to provide more accommodation and a better balance of one, two and three bedroom apartments than in the original scheme.

“We really value the opinions of local people who have shown great patience with us as we work hard to deliver a development that will enhance Bideford’s riverfront for generations to come.”

The plans can be viewed via the Torridge District Council online planning portal at www.torridge.gov.uk/planning.