Ben’s plan to get us all outside
DEVON’S double Brit awardwinner Ben Howard has opened a “communal farm”. Outside Devon is a community backed, two-acre site and has opened in the South Hams.
The venue, which includes a skate bowl, cafe, and pottery studio, has transformed existing redundant farm buildings at The Yard in Bantham, and is celebrating its third month of being open.
The concept started as an idea of local Paddy Wellens and old friend, musician Ben Howard, who was born in Bantham and grew up in Totnes. Now it has become a reality – and followed an outpouring of support from the local community.
When the scheme went before planners back in 2020, planning officers had recommended that the bid for the change of use, renovation and extension of existing redundant farm buildings at The Yard in Bantham, near Kingsbridge, be refused, despite 358 of the 360 comments left on the application being in support of the scheme.
But South Hams District Council’s development management committee voted overwhelmingly to support the plans for three acres of derelict land that Mr Howard owns, saying the public benefits of the application outweighed any harm it would cause.
The vision was to create a multipurpose community facility, including a co-working hub with surfboard shaping workshop and ancillary cafe. It also included a new five-aside 4G football pitch; construction of a new skate bowl and children’s adventure play facilities.
Officially opened in late July 2022, Outside has a purpose built, concrete skate bowl and has hosted more than 400 skaters so far. Its small organic farm supplies about 60% of the produce that makes up the cafe’s international menu. Outside also hosts a ceramics studio running courses for both adults and children and a Surfboard shaping workshop, a place for renowned shapers and amateurs to hone their skills.
The plans will eventually include a community orchard/tree nursery and wildflower meadow, while the communal farm will be for people to grow vegetables and cut flowers with a “dream to be off-grid by 2030”.
Paddy Wellens, Co-Founder of Outside, said: “Outside opened its doors in late July 2022. Our vision was to create a multi-generational space, a stop-off on the way to, or from, a surf that we would have loved had it been here when we were growing up.
“It has already become an important part of the local area, with its world class skate bowl, amazing healthy food and incredible coffee in the cafe! The workshops are taking off and the first surfboards are being shaped. We know that the future is very exciting at Outside and we look forward to welcoming you all in.”
When he put forward the application, Mr Howard had said he had been inspired by small-scale farming projects in Cornwall and Ireland and that the truth of today’s modern working world in the countryside setting was that many young professionals work from home in isolation, to the detriment of community and also of creativity.
He added: “I think there is a great opportunity to create spaces where the interaction of ideas and the crossover of recreation and work can benefit everyone. If we can run a small scale business that provides those opportunities in a safe place then it will be a great success and there seems to be a great demand for the activities we are proposing.”
Details on the website say: “More than a cafe, Outside is a space for everyone, to get together, find inspiration and be creative, outside of the home. The aim is to bring together our community and contribute to the environmental, occupational and social wellbeing of the area through entertainment, education and opportunities for young people to grow and develop.
“The venue includes a perfect spiral skate bowl to accommodate skaters of all abilities. There is also a ceramic studio where you can harness your creativity through clay and learn to throw and hand-build in a relaxed environment.”
Our vision was to create a multigenerational space PADDY WELLENS, CO-FOUNDER OF ‘OUTSIDE DEVON’