Public chooses name for 8,000-home new town

More than 1,600 people took part in the public vote for a new name for the development on the outskirts of Exeter

The public has chosen a name for an 8,000-home new town to be built in Devon.

More than 1,600 members of the public took part in the vote where they chose from four options for the project on the edge of Exeter between Crealy theme park and Exeter Airport.

The name of Marlcombe came out on top with 930 votes, with Newton Clyst coming in second, Willowcrest in third place and Clysthope coming in last.

East Devon District Council said in a report it wanted the new town to have "a strong sense of identify and purpose from the outset".

Marlcombe was billed as the "historic option" as the name appeared on 17th Century tithe maps for a portion of the site but later fell out of use.

A masterplan for the new town is currently being worked on, according to the council, and is expected to be published in October.

The council hopes the new town will create "a self-sufficient, healthy and dynamic community with at least 8,000 homes, alongside employment space and community facilities".

It said there would be "a wide range of facilities, from schools, doctors and shops to parks and playing pitches, along with transport and sewage infrastructure improvements".

A report prepared for East Devon District Council's cabinet recommends approving the public choice of name for the project at a meeting being held on Wednesday at 18:00 BST.