Major North Devon town centre housing development gets underway

Work has started on building 180 new homes on the site of the former North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple.

Akkeron Group, in partnership with North Devon Council and social housing provider LiveWest has announced work is underway on 180 new homes at the Seven Brethren site, which includes 125 family homes and 55 apartments.

It says of these, 36 will be affordable and are being delivered through LiveWest.

READ NEXT: Pictures show work underway as Seven Brethren car park makes way for new homes

This development follows the demolition of the old leisure centre and the completion of a new 328 space long-stay car park.

The housing development will begin with a ‘significant infrastructure package’, including flood defences, land raising, roads and drainage.

Above: Work on new homes on the former North Devon Leisure Centre site will soon be underway. This CGI image shows how they could look. KTA Architects/Akkeron group

This phase will be delivered by Wedgewood Groundworks, a local groundworks specialist and developers say the flood defences will benefit not only the new homes, but existing homes and businesses.

After this, the project will proceed with building 125 two to four bedroom townhouses split into three phases, some with river views. The final phase will feature two contemporary apartment blocks.

‘Section 106’ money from the developer to contribute to local facilities totals £500,000 and will be used to improve pedestrian and cycle connection across the River Taw and provide a contribution to local GP surgeries.

Councillor Malcolm Prowse at North Devon Council said: “We welcome the progress being made on this regeneration project, which will deliver new homes, including affordable housing, and bring real benefits for local people.

“By working with partners, we are helping to provide the homes our communities need while supporting the continued growth and improvement of Barnstaple.”

The demolition work and replacement car park were made possible thanks to a contribution from the Brownfield Land Release Fund, a cross-government initiative delivered in partnership by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Cabinet Office.

Anthony Eke, head of new business at LiveWest, said: “We’re excited to be providing much-needed affordable homes for people in Barnstaple.

“Working with our trusted partners, we are proud to be bringing forward homes of excellent quality that will support the local community.

“Through grant funding provided through Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme, we are able to make a substantial investment in this scheme to deliver 36 affordable homes.”

READ NEXT: Building work to start soon on 180 homes

Akkeron Group says it is also well-advanced in building new homes at the former Laceworks site at Derby Road in Barnstaple.

It is building 65 new homes, including 29 affordable homes which have now been completed and handed over to LiveWest.

The open-market homes include 34 within the converted Grade II-listed former lacework factory buildings and two newly built properties. These open homes are due for completion between October and February.

Above: Affordable homes on the former Laceworks site at Derby Road in Barnstaple have already been completed and handed over to social housing provider LiveWest. Credit: Akkeron Group

Akkeron says the converted factory residences - a mixture of town houses and apartments - offer architectural features including vaulted ceilings, large windows and exposed historic details.

Tony Hopwood, Akkeron Group development director, said: “Together, the Seven Brethren and Laceworks developments represent a major investment in the future of Barnstaple, addressing housing demand, while enhancing the character and sustainability of the town.

“We are passionate about breathing new life into brownfield sites across the South West of England, prioritising sustainable regeneration over greenfield development.

By revitalising underused land, we help protect the region’s natural beauty while supporting responsible growth and stronger communities. We would like to thank our partners at Homes England, LiveWest, the Cabinet Office and North Devon Council for all their support in making this happen.”