Planning granted for Carriage Shelter

The Trust is delighted to announce that the Exmoor National Park Authority has today granted planning permission for our long-needed carriage shelter at Woody Bay.

The shelter, to be built on the headshunt siding, will provide protection for our unique fleet of Victorian heritage carriages, reducing the damage sustained each Winter and protecting them from the elements for generations to come. 

Trustee and lead for the carriages team Charles Summers BEM said “The significant time, effort and money invested in these vehicles, from those finding original parts, our team in Essex undertaking the specialist woodwork to the paint team and engineering staff at Woody Bay who keep them maintained and of course our generous donors over the years - this is a major step forward in helping maintain and preserve what is one of the most unique and loved heritage railway fleets in the UK”

Work will now begin on planning the minor track slewing necessary to accommodate the shelter and the Trust will begin the process of securing funds to allow construction; we will make an announcement on this shortly.

Given our location within the National Park we will be working closely with planning officers to ensure that the shelter blends in within its natural surroundings.