Cullompton's getting £2.2 million cash boost

Fore Street will kick-start regeneration

Cullompton is getting more than two million pounds to spruce up the town centre. 

Historic England is stumping up to £1.1 million to support the Cullompton High Street Heritage Action Zone Scheme, after a grant application by Mid Devon District Council. It's going to be doubled from other sources.

The funding will be used to support repairs and refurbishment of buildings in Fore Street as well as improvements to the Higher Bullring area of the town.

Cllr Richard Chesterton, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: “This announcement comes at a key moment for Cullompton, as we all adapt to the new realities created by the pandemic. The funding will help to breathe new life into the town centre, restoring what is best in the town’s rich heritage and improving the visual appearance of the high street. It should give confidence to building owners that they can invest in their properties knowing that there is a concerted effort by everyone concerned to make the town more attractive to shoppers and kick start wider regeneration.”

Funding will also be used to create programme of cultural activities and events celebrating and promoting Cullompton’s heritage. The funding from Historic England will be matched with funding from Mid Devon District Council, Cullompton Town Council and Devon County Council. Initial grant schemes to support the programme will be announced in the autumn. The scheme will run from September 2020 to March 2024.

The success of the bid is welcome news and is an important step in continuing efforts to regenerate Cullompton. As part of the wider package of works planned for Cullompton, the council is moving to the second stage of consultation on the town centre masterplan and continues to work to deliver a relief road that will alleviate traffic and free-up the town centre to create a more pedestrian friendly environment.