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 were eligible to apply for funding, but those identified on the list were prioritised. Applications from properties that were not on the priority list were 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 introduced an ‘early-bird’ approach to encourage early applications. Grants were 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.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

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 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

What is being proposed?

In order to achieve the project aims set out above, a detailed design has been developed by Devon County Council. The design seeks 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.

The general arrangement plan shows the scheme design.

What consultation has been undertaken?

Consultation has been ongoing throughout the design of the project.

Initial consultation was undertaken in summer 2021 to gather views on how the Bullring space is used and how it could be improved. Material was available on the Councils website and exhibition boards were provided at the Cullompton Community Centre and the Hayridge Centre.

Additionally, three face to face public consultations took place held at the Cullompton Farmers Market, Art week at the Walronds and at Tesco’s carpark in Cullompton.

In addition three further consultation events were undertaken during the autumn. These included:

• ‘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.

Further consultation was undertaken in summer 2022 to seek stakeholders' comments on the concept design. The concept designs and feedback survey were available to view on the Council website and also at the Hayridge Centre in Cullompton.

Two events were also held where members of the project team were available to answer any questions on the proposals. These were held on 26^th July (10am -1pm) at the Walronds Garden and on 30^th July (9am -1pm) at the Farmers market.

Further meetings were held with businesses in September to better understand their concerns and follow up meetings were held in November and March 2023.

Further public consultation will be undertaken as part of the Traffic Regulation Order process. This will follow the standard TRO process and be advertised in due course.

What is the programme for the works and will there be disruption?

The works are due to commence on 24^th July 2023 and take approximately 5 months to complete. The works will be phased to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

The initial phase comprises works to the highway, where the new kerb line will be installed, the pedestrian crossing relocated, and the carriageway resurfaced. During this initial phase of works, there will be 3-way traffic management in place. This will last for 3 weeks. However, the traffic signals will be removed during the morning and evening peak. 

The other 3 phases will commence at the Tiverton Road end and work towards St Andrews Road. Traffic management on the highway is not necessary during these phases, however sections of the footway will be closed. Pedestrian access and loading/unloading will be maintained, but there will be some disruption to the properties that use the vehicle access to the area behind the Bullring and to the properties that front onto the bullring. The County Council will be liaising with residents and businesses to discuss and agree access arrangements.

The contractor will liaise with residents and businesses throughout the works to update them on programme and phasing.

Who will be undertaking the works?

The Higher Bullring project is being led by Mid Devon District Council and designed and delivered by Devon County Council on the district’s behalf. The contractor is Cormac Contracting Ltd.

Other information

Frequently Asked Questions

General Arrangement Plan

Aerial photograph showing the area of work

• 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.

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.