Old Tannery Drive, East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU

A delightful 3 bedroom barn conversion in this superb development on the outskirts of the town within walking distance of amenities. This stone building was the site of the original bark store.

Oak bark from local forests was brought to the tannery by horse and cart.

On the top floor a bark mill ground the oak bark into fine pieces and was gravity fed to the ground floor and transported to the nearby Tanyard in double handed large wicker baskets.

Mazzard Homes’ vision for the Nicholls Shed incorporates 3 individual barn conversions with open plan ground floors.

Each dwelling is demarcated with stone pillars on the exterior and horizontal timber cladding infill adds aesthetic character to the front and gable end.

The ground floor offers open plan living/dining space with large windows to the east which allows for plenty of light.

This beautiful barn conversion is finished to exacting standards and offers 3 bedroom accomodation.

The property blends modern day conveniences with a wealth of character features remaining, The property boasts a driveway to the front with off road parking, a garden to the rear with a stone outbuilding.

The Development - Mazzard’s approach to this bespoke development upholds a strong sense consciousness towards the preservation of the many historic features, while incorporating modern conveniences and high specifications.

Mazzard Homes have the unique opportunity to leave a positive mark on the local community with this rare artisanal project.

The Tannery development will provide multiple units including 7 new build properties, 3 town houses, 3 spacious apartments and a number of fully refurbished 3-4 bedroom homes – all completed to Mazzard’s high quality finishes while incorporating contemporary living requirements and retaining the charm and character of each building.

Situation & Amenities - The Tannery development is located on the outskirts of the popular town of South Molton which is conveniently located within easy access from the M5 motorway network, Tiverton Parkway train station as well as giving excellent access to Exmoor National Park, the regional centre of Barnstaple and the spectacular coastline beyond.

The Tannery is situated in a tucked away, private location within walking distance of the excellent range of amenities.

These include a highly favoured Pannier market, excellent range of shops, banks, primary and secondary schooling, supermarket, health centre.

South Molton is known as the gateway to Exmoor National Park which is renowned for its beautiful, undulating moors and pastureland, with streams and rivers running down through deep wooded combes and valleys to the spectacular cliffs along the North Devon coastline.

There are excellent walking opportunities, as well as hunting and fishing.

The glorious North Devon coast and beaches are within easy reach, with the nearest popular beaches located at Saunton, Croyde and Putsborough which adjoins Woolacombe, all between 45 minutes to an hours' drive away.

The North Devon coastline was recognised in 2022 as a World Surfing Reserve (WSR), a true testament to its natural beauty, as it is the first to be appointed in the UK, and only cold water WSR in the world.

Tannery History - It is believed there has been a tannery on this site since the 16th century.

The premises comprise multiple outbuildings, Tan Pits, Drying Lofts and Warehouses which were capable of tanning 100 heavy hides per week. There were several cottages on site for labourers.

From the late 1700s the tannery was owned for over 100 years by the Smyth family.

In September 1883 the tannery business and site was sold to the Pearce brothers who heralded from Porlock and were experienced tanners and curriers (the name given to the process of stretching and finishing tanned leather.) The tannery buildings were old and out of date at the time the Pearce brothers bought it.

The pits were lined with hard seasoned planks of oak. The tanning liquors were conveyed from pit to pit by long wooden overlapping chutes that were heavy and cumbersome.

Both the tan and lime yards were open to the elements.

The Pearce brothers modernised the Tannery and updated their plant equipment to enable them to speed up the tanning process while maintaining the quality and durability of the leather.

Supplies of English oak bark were obtained from the nearby woods – its rich intrinsic sap provided the finest tanning agent.

Their motto was: ‘To make a quality leather a little better than the best.’ With the modernisation in place the brothers built up a very successful business that remained in the Pearce family for three generations.

During the 19th century when the Pearce family lived at the tannery the family kept pigs as well as a few cows.

There was a large walled kitchen garden where all the vegetables for the house were grown. The new century brought a steady decline in the tannery business.

The two World Wars affected trade badly and this together with changes in the leather trade saw the eventual demise of the tannery business in South Molton.

The family struggled on and until the mid 1950s were still producing good quality leather. In the early 1960s new synthetic materials on the market rendered the production of leather uneconomic.

In addition new legislation around the disposal of waste effluent required the business to upgrade their treatment plant – this was financially unachievable for the Pearce brothers.

The brothers were resilient and determined and diversified; they manufactured leather handbags, waistcoats and mini-skirts. Sheepskin products were brought in to increase the range.

By 1988 just over a hundred years after his grandfather brought the business Charles Pearce’s grandson, Richard Pearce purchased back all the tannery buildings.

They operated on the site renting all the buildings to various local businesses.

In 2022 local property developers Mazzard bought the entire tannery site with a view to completing an extensive historic and sympathetic renovation.

They plan to keep the historic features of most of the original buildings in place while preserving the integrity of the whole site and creating an active living community within the Tannery grounds.

Specification Kitchen • Home Sweet Home fitted kitchens* • Fully integrated Neff/Caple cooker* • Fully integrated Neff/Caple induction hob* • 1.5b Franke Sparke stainless steel sink • Stainless steel splashback to cooker hood Internal Finishes • Aluminium/Timber double glazed windows & doors - 20 year guarantee - Anthracite grey/Traffic White* • Underfloor/radiator heating to ground floor** • Radiator heating to first floor • Towel rails to first floor • Exmoor smoked LVT flooring to Kitchen/Diner, Utility & WC • Decoration to walls in Dulux white cotton, woodwork in Dulux white satin • Internal doors - Mexicano Oak, door furniture Kontrax jedo stainless steel • Gas fired central heating • Low energy lighting • Fibre broadband provided for the development Bathroom & Ensuite • Fully fitted • Vitra neon acrylic bath • Vitra wall hung WC • Soft close WC seat • Vitra Vanity unit with basin • VADO thermostatic shower • Wall & floor tiling - Porcelanosa tiles External Finishes • Fully enclosed gardens with patio & lawn** • Outside tap • External lighting • Block paved driveways** Warranty • 10 year ICW Home Structural Warranty Energy Efficiency • PEA rating B** • 0.5kW solar panels provided • Car charging point provided *various ranges **where applicable Agents Note - Neither the Plan nor any site layout plan displayed or issued by the Seller constitutes any warranty of the Seller’s intentions as to the layout or composition of the Seller’s Development or the use of any neighbouring property and any variation to any such layout plan shall not entitle the Buyer to terminate the Reservation Agreement.

Directions: From the M5 motorway at junction 27, proceed on the A361 North Devon Link for about 22 miles until reaching the roundabout at Bish Mill.

Turn left here signposted towards South Molton on the B3227. Follow this road for just under 2 miles until you see the entrance to the site on your left hand side.

What3words: ///Refreshed.Truth.Paintings Viewing: All viewings strictly by appointment. If you would like to arrange a viewing please contact Jackson-Stops on or .

As the site is an active building site, health and safety precautions will need to be followed and high vis jackets and hard hats will be provided.