A scheme to bring redundant buildings back into productive use has led to a Devon farmer transforming part of his farm into a thriving business park.
John Worden started to diversify his farm at Broadwoodwidger following the foot and mouth crisis of 2001. He converted some buildings on his 150-acre Rexon Cross farm into commercial units, and called it Wolf Valley Business Park. Now he has completed a further development thanks to a £34,000 Redundant Buildings Grant from Devon Renaissance.
The expanded park will be officially opened by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox on April 20.
Four additional units, designed for offices, light industrial use, warehousing and distribution are in the £136,000 new development.
Mr Worden said the foot and mouth crisis was the turning point. "It hit us hard and we needed to look at ways in which we could do something else to stay in business. We decided to try to use some of our old farm buildings, and although it was a hard slog at first it has made all the difference.
"The Business Park is within easy reach of the A30 so demand has been great which is why we decided to expand with the new units."
The Redundant Building Grant scheme is designed to help create new business premises, support job creation, and to help boost the rural economy.
Hilary Rhodes of Devon Renaissance, the rural regeneration partnership organisation for the county, said: "The Wolf Valley Business Park at Rexon Farm is an excellent example of how our grants can be used, both to regenerate the farmer's own business and to provide opportunities for other businesses to prosper."
The Redundant Buildings Grant scheme promotes sustainable construction and low energy use, and can now cover up to a quarter of the eligible costs with an upper limit of 200,000 Euros (about £130,000)
