New Devon homes to be built next to traveller site

Building is due to start in the new year as part of a major redevelopment in Barnstaple which was awarded government funding of £2.2 million to unlock public sector sites.

One hundred and eighty homes will be constructed on North Devon Council-owned land at Seven Brethren, next to the River Taw.

Also on the land, a 328-space car park and temporary travellers’ site is two weeks away from completion and will provide a new home for the historic Barnstaple Fair.

New flood defences include a flood defence wall and embankment along the boundary of the site with the river. The homes will be raised above predicted flood levels.

Ahead of building, the old North Devon Leisure Centre has been demolished and the concrete reused in the construction of the car park. Trees which have been removed have been chipped up and used in landscaping

The homes will be built in several phases with a large number of the 54 affordable properties going up first.

Due for completion in 2028, the development will consist of 125 family homes and 55 flats.

Updating North Devon Council’s strategy and resources committee, representatives from developers Akkeron Group (Tarka Living Ltd) said work on the brownfield site had gone well and they were looking forward to starting on the homes.

Planning permission and funding is in place for work to begin.

Development director Tony Hopwood said Livewest is the housing provider on the site and also on 65 new homes at the old Laceworks factory in Barnstaple, 29 of which are affordable.

On both developments, 70 per cent of the homes will be for social rent.

The former lace making factory, which opened in 1825, was once one of Barnstaple’s biggest employers. It has been unused since 2013 and was purchased by Homes England in 2017.

The Laceworks Grade II factory buildings and Edwardian block are being renovated into apartments, townhouses and affordable homes for local people.

Social housing will be in the first phase and the first homes for sale are expected to be available from June.

In November 2017 North Devon Council (NDC) was awarded £2.2 million of Land Release Fund for residential development at Seven Brethren.