2,000 new homes could radically transform East Devon landscape
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A major proposal for 2,000 new homes, a primary school, employment land and new road junctions has been unveiled for East Devon, potentially creating one of the largest housing developments the district has seen in recent years.
Exeter-based developer Stuart Partners Limited has submitted outline plans for what it calls “Clyst Village” on land between Crealy Theme Park on the A3052 and Clyst St George on the A376.
If approved, the development would deliver around 2,000 homes alongside a new primary school, neighbourhood centre, public open space and employment land.
The proposals also include new transport infrastructure, including access from the A3052 and improvements to the A376.
The scale of the scheme is likely to attract significant public interest because the site is not identified for development in East Devon District Council’s current local plan.
The proposal also emerges as the council continues work on its ambitious Marlcombe new town project, planned on land between the A30 and A3052 east of Westpoint. Marlcombe, which could eventually provide around 8,000 homes, remains at an early stage and is a key part of the district’s emerging local plan, which is expected to guide development up to 2042.
Combined, the two projects could dramatically increase housing provision across East Devon over the coming decades.
Planning documents submitted with the application suggest the developer believes Clyst Village could help address housing shortages more quickly than Marlcombe.
“Clyst Village acknowledges that the delivery model for Marlcombe is uncertain and requires significant external funding, meaning delivery is highly optimistic,” the documents state.
“Clyst is capable of delivering faster, thus plugging an expected delivery gap.”
Like many local authorities, East Devon District Council is currently under pressure to meet government housing targets, and large-scale developments could play an important role in addressing future demand.
The application submitted is for outline planning permission only. This means detailed issues such as the layout of the development, the design of homes and the appearance of buildings would be considered at a later stage if the principle of development is approved.
The plans indicate that Oil Mill Lane would run through the proposed development, with housing located on both sides of the road.
Transport improvements form a significant part of the proposal. Developers are seeking a new access point from the A3052 and say it would not only serve the new community but could also support future development in surrounding areas. Detailed proposals for a junction on the A376 would be brought forward as part of wider discussions with the council on public transport and active travel improvements.
East Devon District Council confirmed the site is not allocated for development within the current local plan.
“In preparing the draft new local plan, the council favoured land between the A30 and A3052, east of Westpoint, for the proposed Marlcombe new town,” a council spokesperson said.
“The application now received seeks to promote the Crealy and Clyst St George site as a village that would be separate to proposals for Marlcombe.
“Land does not need to be allocated in a local plan for a planning application to be submitted.
“The council is legally required to consider all valid planning applications on their individual planning merits, taking account of relevant planning policies and other material considerations.
“No decision has been made on the application. The council has not formed a view on whether planning permission should be granted or refused.”
The application is now expected to undergo public consultation before councillors eventually decide whether the proposed new community should move forward.
( Images: Pixabay Library / East Devon District Council 📸 )