Housing Scheme Lined Up for Historic Barnstaple Site

Plans to redevelop a historic Barnstaple landmark and create new homes for the town have been prepared by property developer Akkeron Group, working with Homes England.The Laceworks is a disused factory complex in the heart of the town which has been empty since closing down in 2013, and was purchased by Homes England in 2017 to further its redevelopment and provide housing for the North Devon area. Akkeron Group conditionally agreed to purchase the site earlier this year, and is preparing with Homes England to submit a joint planning application to North Devon Council in the spring to regenerate the Laceworks factory and create a collection of 65 apartments, townhouses and affordable homes.Laceworks Living would see the disused grade II-listed factory building and the linked Edwardian block, another heritage building, redeveloped into 22 one, two and three-bed apartments.The west and east wings of the horseshoe-shaped factory building would be converted into eight townhouses with a mix of two, three and four-bed properties.Other buildings to the rear of the factory would be demolished to create space for six new-build family homes and 29 affordable homes, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bed houses with gardens and parking, as well as one-bed maisonettes.The intention is to sell 29 affordable properties to LiveWest and provide opportunities for local people to purchase or rent new homes in a prime town location, with some properties available for social rent and some for shared ownership.The development would also feature landscaped courtyards, public open spaces and car parking, as well as access for pedestrians and cyclists to link between a nearby park, primary school and the town centre.A public consultation for Laceworks Living has launched to offer local people an opportunity to review the proposals and share their thoughts and feedback to help shape the plans.The Laceworks site is located off Derby Road in Barnstaple, bordered by Parkview Road to the North East and Princess Street to the South West.The former lace making factory first opened in 1825 and had a significant impact on the history of Barnstaple and the town’s formation.The plans proposed by Akkeron Group seek to demolish some further buildings at the rear to make way for new-build houses with gardens and parking, and to open up the rear elevation of the factory building which has been hidden for years. The historic grade II-listed factory itself, which has heritage importance, would be sympathetically redeveloped, and a heritage consultant has been engaged to ensure the best outcome for redevelopment.The new-build homes would be created in terrace blocks to mirror the lines of the factory building and complement other housing in the immediate area. The majority of the converted apartments in the Laceworks factory building would enjoy dual aspect with barrel vault ceilings and iron columns. Akkeron Group was founded by James Brent in 2009 and the team has led on a number of pivotal property projects across the South West.KTA Architects from Exeter has designed Laceworks Living for Akkeron, bringing 35 years of experience in delivering innovative and award-winning projects to the scheme, along with a dedicated specialist residential team.It is anticipated that Brady Construction Services will be appointed contractor. Brady’s is a family-owned property services provider in Devon and Cornwall founded in 2011