An old boarding school will be revived as a wellbeing hub. It will include a retreat, café, and visitor center.
The Growforward Project will restore the site. They plan a retreat, café, and visitor center. Staff and volunteer lodging is also planned. Workshops and wellbeing qualifications will be available. These will occur in the school, mill, and orchard.
“The Old Apple Press” café should open in late 2025. It will offer home-cooked meals and cater for the retreat center. A visitor center will highlight local history, featuring the railway, viaduct, and mill. Housing will support workers and volunteers.
Daniel Argent, a former student, helps lead the project. His background is in wellbeing and hospitality. He is invested in the transformation. The project secured over £1 million already but they need about £3 million more. Funding came from savings and loans, with future funding to come from bids and partnerships.
Local officials support this effort. Councillor Malcolm Prowse praised the project, believing it will revive the site and offer work to the locals. Alex Heylin, another former student, called approval a big step. He looks forward to revitalizing the site and said support has been great.
Growforward partners with charities, including Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and Yeo Valley Trust. The project needs volunteers now for site work and grant writing. They also need help rebuilding the waterwheel.
An open day is planned for March 2nd. People can explore the site, meet the team, and find out how to help. Ian Roome praised the project’s approval, believing it will help North Devon. He said the team is committed to the community. The team has twelve months to get the site ready. They plan to create a space for wellbeing, serving also as a learning and community hub.