Torridge District Council announced today that it has been granted planning permission to undertake the necessary works to change the use of the former Bideford Library to create a multifunctional sport and fitness facility.
The proposed development also includes further internal works to the wider building to provide a co-working facility, consisting of three open plan co-working spaces, a meeting room, a manager’s office, and ancillary facilities, including a break-out space, staff room, and toilet/shower facilities.
As part of the refurbishment programme, significant renovation works will take place to improve the energy efficiency of the building. This will include:
- Replacement of the building’s roof in its entirety, to include upgraded levels of insulation to the wider roofscape.
- Replacement of single-storey extension to the rear of the former Library building.
- Rebuilding of the existing dormers.
- Upgrades to the existing windows, through the provision of secondary glazing.
- Upgrades of internal doors to provide additional fire safety and accessibility improvements systems.
- Upgrades to the heating, power, lighting, and ventilation systems.
- Rebuilding of the rear retaining boundary wall, adjoining Nunnery Walk.
In addition, there will be general conservation, repair and maintenance work to the Listed Building, including masonry repairs, to ensure the development retains the existing character of the façade, albeit with minor additional signage areas.
Work is expected to start on-site Summer 2026 and will take around 14 months to complete.
Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council, said: “I am delighted that planning permission has been granted for this new fitness hub and the associated improvements that this prominent and well-loved building so deserves. There is very much a need for creating more spaces that support improving health and wellbeing in Torridge and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to do so using a building that is desperately in need of renovation. The recent Active Lives survey still suggests that Torridge is the most inactive area of Devon so we hope this development will help support combating this issue locally.”
