Following community consultation events earlier this year English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, is now looking to select a development partner for the Ralph Allen Yard site in Combe Down.

The site has, until now, been used as a storage yard for the Combe Down Land stone mines Stabilisation programme funded by English Partnerships. This use has now come to an end and the site can now be returned to the community.


Initial designs provide for an Interpretation Centre with exhibition and function space, community rooms and facilities. The centre will document the history of mining in the area as well as a meeting space for local groups. Equally importantly the site will enable up to ten homes to be built to address local housing needs and which will meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The successful developer will assume responsibilities for managing the site and for jointly consulting with the local community prior to submitting a planning application, with English Partnerships, which adheres to English Partnerships Quality Standards.

(CD/JM)