A NEW supermarket, a medical centre and industrial units have all been scrapped from major development plans from a vision for ‘what a rural town should be’ with the best market in the South West, writes Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter.

Kingswood Homes have revised their scheme, designed to fit the Hatherleigh 2028 vision, with the changes also including a reduction in the number of homes from 123 to 102, the relocation of the market square, and a significant increase in car parking from their original proposals submitted in 2018

The changes followed concern over the amount of noise and odour from the adjacent abattoir site, comments from residents that the amount of housing was too high, and that there was no appetite for a supermarket to be provided.

The plans for the market town, between Okehampton and Bideford, still retain seeing Hatherleigh as a paradigm for how a rural town should position itself in the 21stcentury, the documents submitted to West Devon Borough Council state.

Paul Jones, MD Kingswood Homes said: “We inherited an existing outline planning consent when we acquired the site but have listened closely to people’s views during the consultation process.

“It is very clear people are passionate about the market but it needs investment and this scheme would provide a bespoke building that will be a flexible asset for the town.

“Repositioning the Market Square in front of this Pavilion would maximise the views of the town’s most important historical asset, the Grade I listed St John the Baptist Church, while a small terrace row of retail units on the opposite side helps create a sense of enclosure.

“We listened too about the type of housing needed locally and have incorporated a number of bungalows into the scheme as well as one and two bedroom apartments above the retail units.

“Kingswood is a small developer, committed to working with communities to provide the best solutions to sites and we believe our new plans for Hatherleigh will enable the market to not just survive but thrive and provide a mix of high quality new homes needed in the town.”

The revised proposals involved: A reduction in the number of homes from 123 to 102; The inclusion of 21 bungalows; Significant increase in car parking to accommodate market day visitors; Removal of the commercial / industrial units which there was little appetite locally and commercially for; Removal of the supermarket for which there was little appetite; Removal of the Medical Centre as alternative provision is being made elsewhere; New retail units to provide opportunity for local businesses with one and two bedroom apartments above them; Relocation of the Market Square to be closer to its current position; Provision of a fur and feathers building with pavilion to secure a future location for market to operate from.

The application added: “This revised proposal creates a comprehensive redevelopment solution to a large, prominent and difficult site adjacent to Hatherleigh town centre which enables the retention of a market facility at its heart. The scheme represents a high quality and appropriate development which will widen the choice of family housing in the Borough.

“The revised scheme reflects the principles set out in the approved Masterplan at outline planning stage creating permeable streets with links through to the town centre and adjoining areas and ultimately creating a high quality, sustainable environment.”

Hatherleigh has had a market since 1220, but the town’s livestock market closed in February last year. Analysis carried out by Clifton Emery Design concluded that Hatherleigh Livestock Market was in ‘irreversible decline’, which originated with the foot and mouth crisis of 2001 and continued with the subsequent changes to agricultural practices.

But despite the decline of the livestock market, Hatherleigh has a popular and successful Pannier Market on Tuesdays, which would continue as part of the redevelopment.

The vision is for Hatherleigh to have the best market in this part of the South West, attracting new visitors to the town, the documents add. They said: “It is for Hatherleigh market to ‘aspire higher’ and not purely retain the current market format and traders, but to provide a new market area which could attract new traders and customers, bring new life to the town, and realise its potential.”

• What are views on the plans for the Hatherleigh market site? Write to [email protected]