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CCANW's development

As society has become increasingly concerned over its changing relationship with nature, there has been an ever growing need for a dedicated gallery and study centre to present, encourage and deal critically with those arts that address these issues.

"By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid, Art, makes mighty things from small beginnings grow." John Dryden 1631-1700

• In the autumn of 1995, encouraged by the opportunities offered by the National Lottery, the search began for a location in Devon. The challenge was to find one that best fitted the concept, had good accessibility and the greatest potential of being viable. Devon was chosen because it faced challenges that both town and country typically face in their relationships with the natural world.
• In 1997 the Arts Council of England approved a grant towards the cost of a Feasibility study, but the offer of the original site in North Devon was withdrawn. It was agreed that part of the grant could be used to assess other options and an independent panel was set up and consultants appointed.
• 13 different options were identified across Devon and these were narrowed to three which were evaluated in detail, one of which was Poltimore House, a grade II* listed building 8 kilometres north-east of Exeter which East Devon District Council, Devon County Council and English Heritage had striven to save for over a decade.
• By 1999, the panel had unanimously recommended Poltimore because of the advantages that it offered in accessibility, financial viability and concept 'fit'. A more detailed Development study was then undertaken which included the producing of plans for the regeneration of the House and its gardens.
• In December 2003, following unsuccessful bids to the Arts and Heritage Lottery Funds, CCANW decided to withdraw from plans to adapt Poltimore House and started the search for a new location in the South West.
• By June 2004, as a result of consultancy funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency, 21 options of locations in and around Devon were evaluated and recommendations made to the Trustees. Finally, CCANW and the Forestry Commission formed a partnership in the Haldon Forest in Teignbridge. In April 2006, CCANW's Project Space - converted from a redundant Forestry Commission building - was launched simultaneously with the new, Forestry Commission-managed Haldon Forest Park. By 2010, it is hoped that this partnership will create an important new eco-building in the forest.

The study stages of the project have been supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England, English Heritage, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, South West Arts, University of Plymouth, RSA Art for Architecture Award Scheme, Devon Wildlife Trust, ENTRUST, PROSPER and South West of England Regional Development Agency.