AN historic set of buildings on the site of a new Barnstaple development have been listed.

Historic England confirmed on its website that the buildings, which were the former Shapland and Petter factory, were listed on August 17.

The entry confirms the buildings, which can be found at Anchorwood Bank, are now grade two listed due to their architectural, technological and historic interest.

The buildings were constructed in 1888 to designs by local architect William Clement Oliver, hence their now being known as the Oliver Buildings.

Historic England’s entry on the buildings details their full history, including the devastating fire which destroyed the firm’s former buildings in Pilton.

The entry continued: “It was fortunate that the company had already purchased a second site, a former shipbuilding yard at Bridge Wharf on the banks of the River Taw, which had not only access by water, but its own railway siding, significant for bringing raw materials to site and shipping out finished pieces.

“Shapland and Petter was already running a timber merchants’ business from the site, on which they rapidly set about building a new factory complex, to be known as the Raleigh Cabinet Works.

“The buildings which survive date from this phase; they were constructed in 1888, and were designed by William Clement Oliver (1832-1913), a local architect whose work in Barnstaple is characterised by his good detailing and decorative use of polychrome materials.”

The entry stated that, after the disastrous fire on the former mill site, the firm was anxious to guard against fire wherever possible in the new factory.

“To this end, the ranges were built with timber doors faced on either side with galvanised iron; 3-inch thick timber was used for floorboards; and the stairs were constructed in concrete and brick, within a stair bay which was separated from the ranges on either side by solid walls which extended the full height of the structure, emerging as raised verges at the roofs,” it said.

“The flat-roofed stair bays carried large water tanks to feed the Grinnell Automatic Sprinkler System, a design imported from the United States, which was a recent evolution of the sprinkler systems which had been developed there since the 1850s.

“Ten hydrants were installed, with hoses on every landing. Electric lighting was installed throughout, to avoid the danger of naked flames.

“The company also set up its own Fire Brigade, which was regularly drilled, and even loaned its services elsewhere in the town. “

Anchorwood Bank is being developed and will feature an Asda foodstore, up to 180 houses and a new leisure and retail complex.

An exhibition detailing phase two of the site is being held at Barnstaple Guildhall tomorrow from 10am.