Newton’s Place starts to take shape

Work has begun on a £2.2 million conversion of a Grade II-listed former 19th Century church in Newton Abbot.

Part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Newton’s Place project will provide a new accessible museum, community space and council offices.

PCA’s structural and conservation engineering expert Paul Carpenter has been working on this interesting project for more than two years and was initially called in to survey the former St Leonard’s Church in Wolborough Street, on behalf of Newton Abbot Town Council in August 2016.

He has been working with the architect, Jeremy Newcombe of LSN Architects, advising on the conservation and conversion works, which will include the insertion of two new floor structures, a lift and staircases within part of the building.

Paul said: “The church had been unused for many years before the council purchased it, but although it has suffered some deterioration, it is in very fair condition and was originally well built. Once sensitively repaired and converted to its new use, it will provide a valuable community facility for the town.”

South West construction firm Pollard have been appointed to carry out the building work, with the proposed opening of Newton’s Place in the winter of 2019/20.