Abandoned school set to become community hub

A major community project is set to transform the abandoned Chelfham Mill School near Barnstaple into a vibrant hub for wellbeing and social activities. 

Known as The Growforward Project, this initiative aims to restore the historic site, which has been left in ruins for nearly a decade, saddening both locals and visitors to the UNESCO-recognised biodiversity area.

The site’s decay has also affected the nearby Grade II Listed Chelfham Viaduct, a popular spot for heritage railway enthusiasts. 

However, a group of ex-pupils, staff, local residents, and supporters have now secured a deal to purchase and restore the site. 

With just over three months left to prepare it for funding, the team has made progress, turning half of the site into a functional hub. 

The Growforward Project plans to take full ownership in February 2025, pending funding linked to their planning application.

The project has garnered support from local leaders, including North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome and Councillor Malcolm Prowse. 

Mr Roome recently visited the site and praised the volunteers' efforts to bring new life to the area. 

“This is a real asset for North Devon,” he stated on social media.

The Growforward Project aims to create a major asset for local employment, heritage, tourism, and community wellbeing. 

Planned features include:

• Wellbeing Learning and Retreat Centre: The historic schoolhouse, watermill, and orchard will become a serene residential setting, offering workshops and therapeutic experiences in partnership with specialist organisations.
• The Old Apple Press Hospitality & Heritage Visitors Centre: Visitors will be greeted by a café/bistro and riverside deck, along with a heritage centre showcasing the area's historic steam railway, viaduct, watermill, and biodiversity. This will provide income to help finance the not-for-profit Community Interest Company.
• Utility and Team Services: The area around the viaduct piers will serve as a management and accommodation space for the team, essential for attracting volunteers and generating early income.

However, the group are worried about their time frame.

If planning permission is not secured by 9 February 2025, the project risks losing the work and investment that has gone into it. 

The team urges community support for their planning application, aiming to unlock funding and build something extraordinary for the entire community.

As Daniel Argent, a former pupil and founding member, noted, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rejuvenate a place that holds so many memories.”

The Growforward Project promises to be a heart and soul initiative for North Devon.