194 new homes proposed for Totnes

A development proposal for Totnes could see a complete overhaul of Baltic Wharf, after a planning application was submitted for 194 homes as well as a care home, new boat yard and office space.

Baltic Wharf is a brownfield site along the banks of the River Dart and has long been considered for development. The proposal says “The site represents the opportunity for a gateway development for Totnes.”

Once employing up to 200 people in its heyday, Baltic Wharf was famous for importing Baltic timber and distributing it throughout the South West. It’s now declined to the point of employing just 18 people.

The land has already been allocated for mixed-use redevelopment under the Joint Local Plan in 2019.

The proposal claims the project will create 194 new homes while retaining a boatyard in the area. It will also create up to 300 jobs.

The planning application, submitted by Acorn Property Group and TQ9 Partnership, proposes the redevelopment of the remainder of Baltic Wharf (Bloor Homes have already completed phase 1) to include mixed uses consisting of a replacement boatyard, workshops, offices, housing, care home and public realm. In addition, some limited retail uses, restaurant and café and flexible commercial/retail space will be provided.

The application also proposes an area for car parking and 4.5 hectares of fields to be opened up for public use with improved footpath and cycle way connections, green links into the proposed new development, managed landscape improvements, enhanced wildlife habitats and new interest trails.

In terms of the appearance, the developers explained: “Building forms have been kept simple, generally double-pitched roofs on rectangular plans reflecting the pattern of the current boatyard.

“Larger buildings are broken down, appearing as two interlinking blocks, utilising depth and material changes to add intricacy and break down the overall bulk of buildings. Projecting balconies punctuate the apartment elevations. Roofs are all pitched throughout apart from terraces and are designed to maximise PV use.”

The scheme will, however, require about an acre of hillside to be removed, putting 1,200 lorry journeys through Totnes.

Additionally, the planning application did raise concerns about the viability of affordable housing in the area, saying that grant funding will be needed to deliver any significant amount of affordable housing.

The proposal has been submitted by developer Acorn Properties and the TQ9 Partnership, an organisation made up of three local families that bought the Baltic Wharf site from a Swiss international consortium in 2006.

The developers reassured that existing businesses would be brought into the plans. They said: “It is clear that the existing buildings are no longer fit for purpose and cannot be economically repaired so the only option to secure the future of the boatyard is to build modern, purpose-built and forward-looking spaces for the existing tenants as well as new occupiers.”