Torrington creamery site to be demolished after three decades

The derelict Torrington creamery building is set to be demolished this month after 30 years as an infamous eyesore in the town.

The redevelopment of the site is scheduled to begin in November with and eight to 10 month demolition, with the work to be carried out by DES Ltd.

The project is being carried out by the Joint Administrators of Waterside Construction Southwest Limited and Valley Estates South West Limited (in Administration), which own the site.

The creamery has been a source for irritation for most in Torrington, not to mention an eyesore, with many years of anti-social behaviour, fires and disturbances, as well as several injuries.

The demolition project is being carried out by the Joint Administrators of Waterside Construction Southwest Limited and Valley Estates South West Limited (in administration), which own the site.

It has with the support of Farm Finance Limited, and assistance of Torridge District Council (TDC), Devon and Cornwall Police, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Once demolition is complete, the site is expected to be marketed to secure a developer to deliver a mixed-use scheme of housing, retail and public open space.

The former Dairy Crest site has had a chequered history since its production facilities were closed in 1993 and while there have been a number of false starts over the years, Torridge District Council has said there is renewed confidence in the latest proposals.

The demolition will be carefully planned and phased to safely address the less stable buildings and removal of contaminated materials.

The first phase will involve an environmental clean and then the buildings will be reduced to ground floor slab level. Phase two will involve more contamination assessments before removal of the ground floor slabs and sub structures.

The emergency services and the demolition company have asked that people to keep their distance from the site during demolition to allow the works to be completed.

TDC leader Ken James said: “I’m really glad that there are now some firm plans to begin the redevelopment of this historically important site in Great Torrington and to ultimately bring forward some much needed local housing.

“I know it will be very welcome by residents and blue light services who have had to put up with significant disruption from anti-social behaviour and fly tipping over the years. This has been a real team effort to initiate the demolition and we would like to thank Chris Stevens and Steven Williams of FRP Advisory for their help and committing the necessary resources to enable the project.”

Police Inspector Ewan Seear added: “While recognising the dairy has played a significant role in the history and community of Torrington and Taddiport, in recent decades the site has become a significant danger to the public and a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, fly tipping, arson, and damage offences. 

“The police are pleased to now be able to work collectively and constructively with the new management for the site to assist in making the location safe and ending the antisocial behaviour that has so badly affected the local community.

“We would stress the buildings are a hazard to human health and would urge the public and especially parents to ensure that children do not trespass upon the buildings. The local policing team will be visiting those most immediately affected, and we will be assisting in putting together a forum for residents and those involved in this project to keep the community updated as the works progress.”

Jeff Harding, Barnstaple Group Commander for Devon and Somerset Fire Service said in his 29 years of service, the old creamery had been one of the most dangerous derelict sites he had ever experienced.

He said: “Over the years we have dealt with numerous fire and rescue incidents at the creamery, many of which have placed fire personnel at significant risk, including a recent fire in which a firefighter was taken to hospital.

“On another occasion in May we required 19 fire appliances and around 70 fire personnel to deal with a large fire involving a considerable amount of fly tipped rubbish and old polystyrene cold storage panels.

“Most fires have been started deliberately and therefore put all blue light personnel that attended at unnecessary risk while also diverting important resources from elsewhere to deal with them.

“I’m very encouraged by the new management teams’ commitment to help prevent us being needed here, and I look forward to working closely with them and our partners to finally make this a safe place for us and the community.”