On Wednesday 11 February, the Chair of Torridge District Council, Councillor Doug Bushby, officially opened the new Operational Services Centre in East‑the‑Water, Bideford. Staff, councillors, partners and contractors gathered to mark the occasion and recognise everyone who contributed to the project from its early planning stages through to completion.
A project of this scale involves a coordinated effort from a full team of specialists working under dedicated management. This includes Devon Contractors Ltd, acting as the main contractors responsible for the overall construction; MAC Plant Ltd, serving as the civil engineering contractors delivering the highway improvements; and W T Hills, fulfilling the role of Employers Agents overseeing the contracts.
The new Centre replaces four older depots which were spread across the district and have become outdated. Bringing teams together in one purpose‑built facility provides a cleaner, safer and more efficient working environment for around 70 staff. The building includes better‑equipped workshops, upgraded welfare areas, dedicated meeting and training rooms, and modern technology to help manage the council’s 27 waste and recycling vehicles more effectively.
The site has also been designed with long‑term sustainability in mind. The building uses solar panels to generate some of its own electricity, and a rainwater harvesting system to wash the vehicle fleet, helping to reduce water use. An attenuation pond has been created to help manage heavy rainfall and provide a valuable habitat for wildlife. Pedestrian safety has also been improved by linking existing footpaths with the local cycle network, encouraging safer and more sustainable travel. In addition, extensive landscaping, new tree planting and wider ecological enhancements will support long‑term biodiversity across the site. Together, these features will help lower running costs and reduce the Centre’s environmental impact for years to come.
Councillor Doug Bushby, Chair of Torridge District Council, said: “The opening of this Centre marks a major milestone for the council, turning a long‑held ambition into reality. It stands not just as a new building, but as a vital investment in our future, providing modern, efficient facilities and strengthening the essential services our residents rely on. Reaching this point has required immense dedication, and I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the project from the very beginning. Their commitment and tireless efforts have delivered a Centre that will serve Torridge and its growing needs for many years to come.”
Councillor Chris Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services, said: “This project has been a long time coming, and it’s fantastic to see ideas first discussed decades ago finally brought to life in such an impressive way. Our crews work incredibly hard in all conditions, and they now have a modern, safer and more practical environment that better supports the vital work they do every day. I want to thank everyone involved for their dedication and efforts as together they have delivered a facility that will make a lasting difference to our services and to the crews who so thoroughly deserve it.”
Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council, said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved in bringing this project to life, with particular appreciation to Lead Member Councillor Leather and the officers at Torridge District Council for their tireless efforts in delivering this facility, which is arguably the best of its kind in Devon. Our employees are at the heart of our waste and recycling operations, and I am excited to see them thrive in this safer, more modern working environment – something they very much deserve.”
