The Crediton Heart Project has some exciting plans to develop a community arts venue on the edge of Newcombes Meadow and we want to know what you think. The Park House would include a flexible performance space, with seating for 300, rooms for other community activities and a beautiful café opening onto the park. It would provide a welcoming and inclusive place to meet, learn and create together in the heart of our town
Read more about the project below and then click on this link to complete a short online survey.
Built on the site of the dilapidated Union Road toilet block, between the War Memorial and Bike Shed, the Park House could offer amazing opportunities for local performance groups and bring many more events to our area, including theatre, cinema, dance, comedy and live music. It would transform our park and regenerate our town centre.
Why do we need the Park House?
Crediton and its surrounding villages are important and vibrant communities in Mid Devon. We are more than a stop on the way to the north coast beaches. We have an attractive and successful High Street, a lively arts scene and brilliant community groups working hard to create a stimulating and supportive environment.
But Crediton is expanding – by 2030 there will be an estimated 21,000 people living in our town and surrounding villages. To avoid it becoming a dormitory town to Exeter, we need to provide the spaces and facilities to ensure that people can choose to spend their leisure time locally and that our community continues to thrive. We want to keep the heart in Crediton and the Park House would help us to do this.
Who is leading the Park House project?
The project is being led by the Crediton Heart Project, with support from Crediton Town Council and Mid Devon District Council. The Heart Project is a volunteer led charity, set up in 2018 with the key aim of developing a new community venue. Since then we have been exploring possible sites, developing partnerships and running a range of successful projects such as the Crediton Heart Project community website, an annual Summer Arts Festival and, most recently, the Kick Start Art project for children.
Last year the Newcombes Meadow site became available so we commissioned a feasibility study by award winning theatre designers, Foster Wilson Size. They concluded the site could accommodate a 300-seat professionally equipped theatre suitable for a wide range of performances and events. The Park House hasn’t been designed yet, but this is a computer generated image of what it could look like.
Who else is involved?
We have been sharing our plans with local performance groups who are keen to see this happen.
‘For us it’s fantastic, we’re really excited about this project.’
Sophie Stevens, S&G Dance Academy
‘It would elevate what we are able to do with our productions and give our students the experience of being in a more professional environment.’
Vicky Evans, Head of Drama, QE Academy
‘It’s really thrilling that Crediton could have something like this. I think it’s something that Crediton needs.’
Luca Vaccari, Dancer, former QE student
Where will the money come from?
We aim to secure funding from central government and the National Lottery, along with help from grant-making charities. We will also be inviting support from the local community – every contribution will help bring this vision to life.
What do you think?
This is a hugely ambitious project with the potential to benefit everyone in our community. But before we take the next steps we need to know what people in the town and surrounding villages think. Would you use the Park House? If so, what sort of events and activities would you attend?
We would be very grateful if you could complete this online survey. The information you provide will be vital to the next phase of planning and, eventually, securing the major funding we will need.
Paper copies of this survey are available at Crediton Library and Crediton Town Council.
FAQs - these will be updated regularly in response to questions from the public.
Parking
The Park House is planned to be built in the town centre so people living in Crediton can walk to events.
For those who choose or need to drive, there are two car parks nearby - St Saviour's car park has 190 spaces while Market Street has 27 spaces. Both are within 10 minutes walk of the venue.
Public transport links are convenient, with a bus stop outside the venue and the train station a 15 minute walk away. We will install clear signage from the car parks and station to the venue.
There will be dedicated access for people with disabilities - both for drop off and parking. As we are still at the feasibility stage, we do not yet know how many disabled spaces will be included in the final design as that's still a way off. We are consulting with the Turning Tides Project, the Crediton & District Access Group and others on appropriate provision. The consultation survey will help inform a more detailed building design in due course.
There will be parking available to crews to offload/park during performances
We are excited about offering a venue so close to the centre of town, which was a really important request from people in our 2019 consultation.
Who will run the venue?
The Heart Project charity will appoint a management committee to run the venue.
Will the Park House show films?
Yes, we are keen to offer a wide range of films including recent releases, classics, streaming of theatre, dance and opera.
Will there be public toilets?
Yes, all the time the Park House is open there will be toilets available to the public. There will be several accessible toilets. The Town Council is actively considering a proposal to build additional toilets near the children’s play area.
Will the Park House be affordable for rents by local groups
We have committed ourselves to providing rehearsal/room rent at a rate that is affordable to local community groups. We will have to charge fees, but we will work to keep these as low as possible.
How will the building impact on the War Memorial?
Given the proximity of the War Memorial to the Park House development we have been talking to the Royal British Legion as part of our public consultation, but our proposal does not require its relocation. At this early stage we are still gathering views from those who manage the monument and others to discuss the opportunity to transform access and use of the park. As the War Memorial is a listed monument, no alterations can be made without planning consent and that could only be initiated and undertaken by the British Legion and others, not the Crediton Heart Project.
What will the building look like from the outside?
We have had several comments about the shape of the building. There is no settled design at present as our drawings are indicative only as we are at the initial stage of identifying what is feasible on this site. The final external design will offer a building which takes account of the surrounding architecture and is beautiful. We hope to do an innovative design, but one that complements the buildings in the town.
Will the Park House offer youth services?
Many people have asked that services for young people can be accommodated in the building. We are working towards this with our partners such as QE Academy, S&G Dance Academy, and Crediton Town Council's Youth Team. Engaging young people in the new venue is critical for its long term success.
How will the building support sustainability?
There will be many features of the building that support bringing green space and biodiversity into Crediton. We are asking for a green roof, recycling grey water, innovative heating/cooling systems that reduce carbon footprint and planting of the surrounding area which draws in bees and other insect life. Building materials will be recycled/low impact/sustainable as much as possible. There may be some trees that will need to be felled as part of the process, but we will replant trees, and be guided by conservation requirements.
Will there be a lot of noise from the theatre?
Modern materials will ensure that sounds from within the theatre will be heard as little as possible outside to ensure those who live around the Park House are not disturbed.
How will the Park House collaborate with existing venues?
As there is no venue of this size in town, there will be minimal competition with local venues. The Crediton Arts Centre have supported the Park House, believing that the more arts/theatre/music we all bring into town, the more people will come to a whole range of shows. Shows designed for smaller audiences will continue to be hosted by the Arts Centre.
Who is supporting this project?
So far, we have had active support and involvement from Crediton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council, Councillors from Devon County Council, Crediton Arts Centre, QE Academy, S&G Dance Academy, CODS, and the Bookery. We have recently held two consultation sessions with a range of local venue providers and stakeholder groups on the Park House plan while our outreach work over the last four years has also included partnerships with Turning Tides, Age Concern, Crediton Town Council's Youth Team and CISCO.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us via email at info@creditonheart.org. We'll also be attending a number of local events over the coming weeks and months, and we'd be happy to speak with anyone directly.
