A long-derelict Devon garden centre could soon spring back to life after planners approved plans to demolish crumbling buildings and create a temporary café and restaurant within its historic walled garden.
Mid Devon District Council has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Eggesford Garden & Country Centre in Chulmleigh, allowing large sections of the former garden centre to be demolished and replaced with covered walkways, a toilet block and a temporary restaurant and café.
Planning officer Helen Govier approved the scheme under delegated powers, concluding the proposal was “supportable in policy terms” despite the countryside location. The officer’s report said the existing buildings “are not considered to be of any particular merit” and noted there was “no objection to their removal”.
The report added that the scheme was justified because it centred around the site’s historic walled garden setting and was not expected to create “unacceptable adverse highway impacts”.
The application was submitted by Eggesford Garden owner Jeremy Burks for the site at Eggesford Garden & Country Centre, near Eggesford Station. Planning permission was formally granted on Friday, May 8.
According to planning documents, the garden centre ceased trading in 2018 and has since fallen into disrepair. The design and access statement said the applicant had been carrying out maintenance work since taking ownership of the site.
The approved plans include the demolition of around 1,574 square metres of existing buildings, including the former restaurant, garden centre structures, greenhouses and outbuildings. They will be replaced with 235 square metres of enclosed space alongside more than 483 square metres of covered walkways and seating areas.
Planning documents state the temporary café is intended to help generate income while wider restoration and development work continues at the site.
The officer’s report also noted that Devon County Council’s highways authority raised no objections to the plans. Highway officers concluded the proposal would not create a significant increase in traffic compared with the site’s previous lawful use as a garden centre and café.
Three letters of support were submitted during the consultation process. Residents said the proposed restaurant would benefit walkers and cyclists visiting Eggesford Forest and could bring employment opportunities back to the area.
The permission comes with several planning conditions, including requirements for biodiversity improvements, landscaping plans and restrictions limiting the approved use to the sale of food and drink consumed mainly on the premises.
Council planners concluded the development was unlikely to cause significant harm to neighbouring amenities, heritage assets, protected landscapes or local ecology, subject to mitigation measures being carried out.
