Major expansion of new town given green light

Persimmon Homes has been given outline planning permission for a housing development Cranbrook, near Exeter

Plans to expand a town with the creation of more than 1,400 homes and two schools have been given the green light.

The development of Cranbrook near Exeter, which has been approved by East Devon District Council (EDDC), will also include the creation of a neighbourhood centre, green space and a place of worship and cemetery.

Plans for 10 permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers have also been approved.

Ed Freeman, assistant planning director, said the development would provide "much-needed homes for people in East Devon", along with key facilities such as schools, shops and play areas.

The development will be the first expansion of the town since it was created more than 13 years ago, EDDC has said.

The town is set to get a new three-form entry primary school along with a special educational needs school.

Mr Freeman said the planning permission meant "important facilities such as new schools, shops and play areas" would be provided.

'Population of 20,000'

"We look forward to seeing the town continue to grow, bolstering the strong sense of community that Cranbrook has fostered over the past 11 years," he added.

The Cranbrook Plan was adopted in October 2022 and sets out how it will accommodate a population of about 20,000 people.

The plan sets out that low carbon development must be used, with financial contributions made to key Cranbrook facilities.

A council spokesperson said the development would see over £4m contributed towards projects including a new health and wellbeing centre, leisure centre, fire station and improvements to London Road to make it more suitable for people walking and cycling.

They added that Devon County Council had been successful in a bid to the Department for Education for funding to build and open the new special educational needs school on the site.

Three other planning applications for Cranbrook’s expansion look set to see a further 2,085 homes built in the town, along with another primary school, sports pitches, open space, play areas, allotments and neighbourhood centres.

These planning applications are to be issued once legal agreements are finalised, the council added.

Persimmon Homes has been given outline planning permission to build new homes at Cranbrook Cobdens.

The company's managing director for the South West, Daniel Heathcote said: "Throughout the planning process for Cranbrook Cobdens, we have worked closely with officers and stakeholders at East Devon District Council to ensure that our homes complement and enhance the local area."