Fermoys Garden Centre in Ipplepen, Devon, could soon be undergoing a major Victorian palm house-style transformation, as per a recent planning application submitted by owner Blue Diamond.

The plans include the recolation of the garden centre within the existing site. The application states that the garden centre will remain open during phase one of the plans, with phase two incorporating the demolition of the existing centre and the construction of additional parking areas.

The application outlines a proposal to “bring back the more traditional image of glasshouses.” It also indicates plans to keep the covered plant area located in the heart of the garden centre, with the other areas wrapped around it.

“The presence of this nursery style structure is felt throughout the whole building, enhanced by the transparent roofing materials which light up the area.

“The style of the exterior is based on the architecture of the Victorian Palm Houses found in the Botanical Gardens of the 19^th century. More specifically, the Temperate Palm House of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, built by Robert Matheson in 1862. This provided the archetype for the two notable elements in the garden centre layout; the entrance foyer and the restaurant.”

The new garden centre will keep the existing entrance location, but will have a new access road into the site “to split the delivery traffic from the customer car parking.” The garden centre will be located further from the road to increase the amount of parking.

Further details can be viewed at Teignbridge Town Council's planning page.