Cullompton High Street Heritage Action Zone

Within the Cullompton Heritage Action Zone, building owners and tenants can apply for building grants for structural repairs and historic reinstatement work covering properties in the Fore Street area of the town.

The HAZ team has undertaken a condition survey to identify the priority properties for funding (accompanying map). All properties in Fore Street are eligible to apply for funding, but those identified on the list would be prioritised. Applications from properties that are not on the priority list would be appraised against the assessment criteria as set out in the scheme guidance. In addition, specific high priority properties outside the Fore Street, but within the HAZ area, may also be targeted for improvements. The priority list will be monitored and updated as necessary. 

The Council has introduced an ‘early-bird’ approach to encourage early applications. Grants are currently available up to 70% of the cost of the works. In subsequent years this contribution available may be reduced.

Details of the grant scheme and eligibility criteria can be found in the Building Grant Scheme Guidance.

For an initial discussion or if you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Cullompton HAZ Project Officer: CullomptonHAZ@middevon.gov.uk

In order to apply applicants will need to submit an Building Grant Scheme EOI (Expression of Interest) form setting out the details of their project using this form. We encourage applicants to get in touch before submitting their form.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Once completed this form should be sent by email to: CullomptonHAZ@middevon.gov.uk or posted to:

Cullompton HAZ, Economic Development, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP

Applications are now open for the Cullompton Shopfront Improvement Grants Scheme.

Grants are available for up to 70% of the cost of the works of shopfront improvement projects covering premises within the Cullompton High Street Heritage Action Zone. Please refer to the accompanying map showing the eligible area.

Details of the grant scheme and eligibility criteria can be found in the Shopfront Grant Scheme Guidance.

For an initial discussion or if you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Cullompton HAZ Project Officer: CullomptonHAZ@middevon.gov.uk

In order to apply applicants will need to submit an Shopfront Grant Application Form setting out the details of their project. We encourage applicants to get in touch before submitting their form.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Once completed this form should be sent by email to: CullomptonHAZ@middevon.gov.uk or posted to:

Cullompton HAZ, Economic Development, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP

What is the Cullompton town centre public realm enhancement project about?

The draft Town Centre Masterplan has identified that the Higher Bullring has potential to be upgraded to a higher quality public space and to allow a greater variety of community uses.

The first phase of the town centre public realm enhancement project, delivered as part of the High Street HAZ, will focus on the Higher Bullring area. The Higher Bullring area of Cullompton provides an important focal point to the town centre. This project, delivered in partnership with Devon County Council, will seek to enhance the heritage setting of the Higher Bullring while providing an extended community space for community events and cultural activities.

The project aims are to:

• Enhance the heritage setting of the town centre and the Higher Bullring
• Reduce the dominance of motor vehicles
• Provide an extended space for community events and cultural activities while providing a focus for civic pride

Following the summer consultation undertaken in 2021, a consultant team was appointed to develop proposals for an enhanced area of public realm focused around the War memorial within the Higher Bullring. These consultants have now prepared a concept design which has taken on board feedback from the various consultation events held last year. This recent consultation was to consider the more detailed elements of the concept design produced by the consultant team and undertake a final round of public consultation, prior to seeking to progress to implementation of the works.

The consultation was open from 4th July to the 21st August 2022.

What is being proposed?

In order to achieve the project aims set out above, a concept design has been prepared for consultation which has sought to:

• Frame the War Memorial, creating space around it for people and markets
• Use high quality materials to showcase the area
• Remove unnecessary street clutter from the Higher Bullring
• Allow the street trees space to breathe
• Incorporate more green landscaping
• Create a more pleasant area to sit and meet friends, or for community gatherings and market uses

The project has taken inspiration from the rich history of the space and how it has been used over the years as a market and as a space for the community to meet.

View the project exhibition boards -

Board 1 - History Board

Board 2 - Frequently Asked Questions

Board 3 - Proposed Layout of the Higher Bullring

Board 4 - Proposed Vision Plan

Download the concept design.

• Email us at cullomptonhaz@middevon.gov.uk
• Write to us at: Cullompton High Street Heritage Action Zone, Economic Development, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP

Find our Privacy Notice.

What happens next?

Devon County Council is working with Mid Devon District Council, as project lead, to progress the next stage of technical work. The project team will take on board the outcome of this consultation as the proposals are developed.

What previous consultation has taken place?

The Council sought the community’s views on the Cullompton town centre public realm enhancement project in a consultation which took place between 28th June and 13th August 2021.

In total there were 42 responses to the interactive map consultation, with a further 19 survey responses.

You can view the responses on the interactive maps (closed to new responses).

Through the course of the autumn in 2021 the project team also ran further targeted consultation events, including:

• ‘Autumn Fest’ Farmers Market in Cullompton on the 9^th October 2021;
• A ‘walkabout’ and plenary discussion of the Cullompton Town Centre Regeneration Partnership Group – 19^th October 2021;
• A Town Centre Traders and Businesses Open Evening at the Hayridge Centre – 17^th November 2021.

What were the previous consultation findings?

The conclusion of the consultation demonstrated strong support for public realm enhancements around the Higher Bullring, with 89% of respondents to the survey stating that the Higher Bullring needed improving.

You can find out more detail on the consultation responses by reviewing the Cabinet Paper (May 2022) [insert link: https://democracy.middevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=1593&Ver=4#]

A key element of the Cullompton HAZ programme is to design and deliver a programme of cultural events and activities to enhance the social and cultural life of Cullompton town centre. The programme will aim to leave a positive legacy of culture in the town, building on its rich heritage.

In 2020 a cultural consortium entitled ‘Creative Cullompton’ was set up to plan and deliver this cultural programme. The consortium consists of local organisations central to the current cultural offering within Cullompton.

Following a funding submission to Historic England in December 2020, Creative Cullompton were successful in their bid and received £90,000 to deliver a programme of activities celebrating art, culture, festivals, and heritage in the town centre.

The cultural programme will run until March 2024.

You can find out more about the project and how you can get involved here.

You can read the press release on the successful funding award here.

In order to support the ongoing preservation and enhancement of Cullompton’s built environment heritage, and to support the Grants Scheme and the Higher Bullring Enhancement works, the adopted Cullompton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAMP) has been updated as part of the HAZ project.

Find out more here: Cullompton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

In addition, a Mid Devon Shopfront Design Guide is under preparation, which will set out guidance relating to the design of good quality and attractive shopfronts. This was presented to MDDC Cabinet in April 2021 where it was approved for public consultation. This consultation is currently being planned. In the meantime, the draft document presented to Cabinet can be found here.

The Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan process is an integral part of the HAZ programme of work, providing a vehicle for engagement with the whole community over the future use and shape of Cullompton town centre.

Find out more about the Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan here.