A FULL planning application has gone in for site-wide improvements to the South Devon Railway (SDR) site at Buckfastleigh.
Described as a ‘masterplan’ for the popular tourist attraction that will improve its environment and appearance, it will include site wide landscaping works, creating a locomotive carriage restoration building and the formation of a car park.
The plans have been submitted to Teignbridge Council by Walsingham Planning consultants from Bristol.
The SDR is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the southwest, celebrating over 50 years in preservation.
It attracts on average more than 90,000 visitors a year making a significant contribution to the local economy. However, it is more than just a tourist attraction, with over 500 volunteers it is an important part of the community.
A design and access statement submitted with the plans says: ‘The proposals are intended to improve both the visitor attraction and the engineering works, improve traffic management and provide environmental and ecological enhancements.
‘They seek to bring together the incremental improvements and additions to the site that have been made by the SDRT with a comprehensive landscape masterplan that will improve the environment and appearance of the site, alterations to internal access arrangements, additional car parking to meet the existing and future operational needs of the site, erection of a locomotive restoration building for the engineering works and associated sustainable drainage infrastructure.
‘The proposed Restoration Building will provide new and improved accommodation and facilities for the conservation, restoration and maintenance of historic railway rolling stock and locomotives.
‘The existing Carriage bodywork repair shop will be relocated from its present inadequate location within the 1872 lime stone former goods shed enabling that to be used for more appropriate heritage visitor facilities.’
The application sates the Restoration Building will enable the South Devon Railway to:
l Provide purpose designed workshop space for the restoration and overhaul of heritage carriages and other rolling stock.
l Attract increased visitor numbers by: Increasing capacity through the availability of more rolling stock. Provide additional activities and allow visitors safe access to view conservation and restoration work on heritage vehicles and with appropriate interpretation.
l Employ more staff and attract more volunteers to work in the new facilities.
l Significantly improve working environments and overall safety for staff and visitors through clear segregation of working areas.
l Improve delivery of the charitable objectives and in particular the educational objective.
The statement adds: ‘This proposed new building is a ‘natural progression of the South Devon Railway enterprise’ and will create a contemporary, dynamic and yet practical solution in order to ensure the longevity of the restoration works at the South Devon Railway.
‘The formalisation of the car park and alterations to access arrangements will deliver improvements necessary to support the safe operation of the site.’
You can view the full plans on the council’s planning portal at https://publicaccess.teignbridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RGIB76PZIFH00