Devon eco-town of Cranbrook given planning permission

A new eco-community is to be built in Devon after being given outline planning permission.

Legal documents have now been signed by developers, landowners and councils to pave the way for work to start on building the town of Cranbrook.

The site, east of Exeter, will see the construction of about 3,000 homes.

The scheme, to help address housing needs and tackle climate change, is one of a number of environmentally-friendly new settlements to be built in England.

Cranbrook will be home to schools, a community centre, energy plant and library.

'Stuck to guns'

It will also have strong transport links as planners are to give it a dedicated bus route to Exeter and build a railway station on the Exeter to Waterloo line.

Sara Randall Johnson, leader of East Devon District Council, said: "We have stuck to our guns in making provision for vital social and community facilities at Cranbrook.

"We want to encourage the new community to quickly develop its own sense of place and to become a splendid addition to the existing market towns of East Devon and a worthy neighbour to the nearby City of Exeter."

Work on the new houses, which will be built by developers including Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon, is expected to start early next year.