TCDS and the Atmos for Totnes campaign have been asking ‘What Happened?’, ever since the former Dairy Crest site was sold from under our feet in January 2020. We think it is time for a re-cap of the facts, including some new information that has recently come to light, as reported by George Monbiot in The Guardian on 15th September 2021. The facts as we understand them are: After several years of intensive work and [...]

Who are Totnes Community Development Society? As well as being posted here, this newsletter is sent out to members of TCDS - the organisation set up to bring forward the community led redevelopment of the old Dairy Crest site in the town, but with the broader objective of holding land and buildings in community ownership to meet local need. The work of TCDS is governed by five Directors with a mission to ensure these spaces [...]

On Sunday July 4th, residents of South Devon were treated to massive images of internationally acclaimed artist and musician, Brian Eno’s,`77 Million Paintings’ in a guerilla projection event which saw Eno’s paintings projection onto the grade II listed Brunel Building roof and chimney at the former Totnes Dairy Crest site.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHDp1PgewlI&t=4s In what has turned into a battle between David (community-led developers Totnes Community Development Society) and Goliath (Canadian corporate, Saputo Inc, who sold the [...]

The emerging masterplan is put out for additional consultation. This beautiful podcast captures the voices of many of the people who visited our July consultation: "As a creative arts project it's really impressive" - "It's just fantastic". An event is held at the Seven Stars Ballroom called 'Atmos Totnes: Open For Business' to invite expressions of interest from businesses wanting to set up on the Atmos site. At 'Open for Business' event, it is made [...]

Following the Community Design Team's hard work, early concept plans are prepared by our architects which are then put out for a weekend of feedback and consultation. Over two weekends, twenty community volunteers, our 'Atmos Ambassadors' come together as our 'Community Design Team'. They digest the material from the consultation, walk the town, and explore design ideas. Incredible days, captured here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hlIfOPhEQ&t=661s They use Christopher Alexander's seminal book 'A Pattern Language' to underpin their design [...]

Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston visits the Atmos Totnes consultation at the Atmos Hub and expresses her delight at what she sees.