Plans approved for wellbeing hub at former school

The Growforward project said it hoped the riverside bistro would open later in 2025

A restoration project to turn a former school in Devon into a wellbeing hub has been approved.

Planning permission was granted by North Devon Council for additional facilities at the old Chelfham Mill School, near Barnstaple, which closed down 10 years ago.

The Growforward project said it aimed to provide a wellbeing and learning retreat, along with a watermill, orchard area, cafe bistro, riverside deck and an accommodation block.

Danny Argent, one of the project's founders said he wanted "to make it open to everybody".

'So much potential'

The community project team, which consisted of ex-pupils, former school staff and neighbours was granted 12 months in 2024 to restore the derelict buildings.

The project team said it hoped the riverside bistro would open later in 2025, with the retreat centre opening in 2026.

Mr Argent, a former student of the school, said he wanted it to be a "beating heart for the local community."

"We want it to be open to all sorts of people, from people doing meditation retreats to agencies that provide training for psychotherapists and counsellors," he said.

MP Ian Roome said the centre would be "an incredible asset for North Devon".

"It's a beautiful site with an incredible team committed to supporting the local community, heritage, and wellbeing."