Marlcombe

Marlcombe is a proposed new town in Devon, England.[1]

Toponymy

The name was chosen through a public consultation because it was an archaic name for the area, dating back to the 17th century.[2] Alternative proposals included Newton Clyst, Willowcrest, and Clysthope.[3]

History

Background

There has been a housing crisis in Devon for many years due to a lack of affordable housing.[4][5] In 2010, planning permission was granted for the construction of the new eco-community of Cranbrook, which saw thousands of homes built throughout the 2010s.[6][7] More development has occurred in East Devon throughout the 2020s.[8]

Initial proposals

In 2021, the leader of East Devon District Council, Paul Arnott, said the council was looking to avoid creating new towns in East Devon.[9] The proposal for the new town properly emerged in 2023.[10] It has been described as the new Cranbrook, another nearby new town.[11] The name was decided by public vote.[12] A community consultation on the proposed new town was carried out beforehand.[13] The initial consultation saw 65% of respondents oppose the new town.[14] East Devon District Council described it as "a self-sufficient and dynamic community with a distinctive character".[15] The proposed site covers 500 hectares.[16] In September 2024, two concept masterplans were made public.[17]

Development

In September 2025, Marlcombe was named as one of 12 locations by the Labour government's New Towns Taskforce.[18]

The town will reportedly be a standalone community rather than a commuter suburb of Exeter.[19] This new town in East Devon, along with the new developments in Plymouth, will accommodate up to 20,000 homes.[20] Local authorities have proposed a target of 40% affordable housing.[21] The settlement will reportedly include new community facilities and employment opportunities.[22] The town will be built along the banks of the River Clyst.[23] Construction of the first homes is expected by the early 2030s.[24] The new town will have green spaces, health facilities, schools, and cycle routes with links to the nearby Clyst Valley Regional Park.[25] The towns infrastructure may not be provided by South West Water and will reportedly need multiple treatment plants.[26] It will have a new town centre, shops, leisure facilities, a cemetery, a park and ride, and gypsy pitches.[27] Around 2,500 new homes are expected by 2040.[28]

Geography

The proposed town will be constructed between the A30 and A3052 roads, immediately south of Exeter Airport.[29] It will border the Devon County Showground at Westpoint.[30] Much of the land between the dual carriageways is currently used as farmland, while some parts of the site include ancient woodland.[31][32] The town will be located on land between the Crealy Theme Park & Resort and the nearby Hill Barton business park.[12] Marlcombe will be close to the villages of Clyst Honiton, Clyst St Mary, Farringdon, Sowton, and Westcott.

Alder Croft

  • Alder Croft
  • Alder Croft
  • Field near Alder Croft
  • Green Lane
  • Cottage and country lane near Clyst St Mary
  • Field near Clyst St Mary

Bishops Court

  • East Lodge of Bishop's Court
  • Farm buildings near Bishop's Court
  • Minor road at Bishop's Court
  • Bishops Court Lane
  • Footpath to Sowton
  • Farmland near Bishop's Court
  • Farmland near Bishop's Court
  • Sheep near Bishop's Court
  • Meadow at Bishop's Court
  • Grassland by path to Sowton

Denbow Farm

  • Field at Denbow Farm
  • Farm lane to Denbow Farm
  • Road to Denbow Farm
  • Field at Denbow Farm
  • Denbow Cross
  • Gates at Denbow Cross
  • Denbow Cross
  • Lane from Denbow Cross
  • Denbow Cross and farm buildings

Farringdon

  • Minor road
  • Old Direction Sign
  • Farmland
  • Entrance to mobile homes park
  • Landscape
  • House
  • Long narrow field
  • Spain Lane
  • Spain Lane

Hill Barton

  • Minor road near Clyst St Mary
  • Fields near Hill Barton Farm
  • View towards New House Farm
  • Farmland near Clyst Honiton

Holbrook Bridge

  • Lane near Holbrook Bridge
  • Valley of the Holbrook
  • Stream at Holbrook Bridge
  • Holbrook Bridge
  • Holbrook Bridge
  • Lane at Holbrook Bridge
  • Wroford Manor and farm buildings
  • Lane to Holbrook Bridge
  • Cottage near Holbrook Bridge

Holbrook Farm

  • Road junction near Holbrook Farm
  • Arable field near Westpoint
  • Field near Holbrook Farm
  • Road junction near Holbrook Farm
  • Muddy road near Holbrook Farm
  • Green lane near Holbrook Farm
  • Lane junction near Westpoint
  • Green lane near Holbrook Farm
  • Higher Holbrook
  • Higher Holbrook
  • Barns at Holbrook Farm
  • Field near Holbrook Farm

Marlborough Farm

  • Field by Marlborough Farm
  • Field by Marlborough Farm
  • Field by Marlborough Farm
  • Lane and Marlborough Farm building, near Clyst Honiton
  • Field by Marlborough Farm
  • Bishop's Court Lane near Marlborough Farm
  • Field by Marlborough Farm
  • Marlborough Cross
  • Road to Marlborough
  • Outbuildings of Marlborough Farm
  • Marlborough Cross
  • Junction at Marlborough Cross
  • Junction at Marlborough Cross
  • Junction at Marlborough Cross

Spain Farm

  • Near Spain Farm
  • Spain Farm
  • Minor road to Farringdon Cross
  • Track to Spain Farm
  • Track to Spain Farm
  • Spain Farm
  • Spain Farm
  • Field near Spain Farm

South of the A30

  • Barn near Exeter Airport
  • Roadside field south-east of Exeter Airport
  • Field at Coney Mead
  • Field south of Exeter Airport
  • Wholesale plant nursery
  • Field next to the B3184 near the A30, looking south-west toward Spain Farm
  • View across the Holbrook Valley
  • Farmland northeast of Holbrook Farm

References

  1. ^ "These three new towns will begin construction before the next election". The Independent. 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  2. ^ Davis, Miles (3 September 2025). "Public chooses name for 8,000-home new Devon town". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  3. ^ "Favourite name emerges for East Devon's second new town". Midweek Herald. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  4. ^ "Devon housing crisis needs urgent action, report warns". BBC News. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  5. ^ "Report reveals 'growing crisis' for renters in Devon and Cornwall". BBC News. 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  6. ^ "Devon eco-town of Cranbrook given planning permission". BBC News. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  7. ^ "Work set to start on new town at Cranbrook in Devon". BBC News. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  8. ^ "Housing approved as Cranbrook new town grows". BBC News. 2023-07-23. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  9. ^ "New town and hundreds of homes in East Devon plan". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  10. ^ "Location decided for new town with 8,000 homes set to be built in East Devon". Midweek Herald. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  11. ^ Clark, Daniel (2022-10-26). "'Second Cranbrook' could be built near Exeter Airport". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  12. ^ a b Reporter, Local Democracy (2025-09-04). "Old name for new town in East Devon - Marlcombe tops public vote". East Devon News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  13. ^ Gerrard, Bradley (2024-09-24). "'Lessons will be learned' for Devon's new town". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  14. ^ "Preferred location of new Devon town to be discussed". BBC News. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  15. ^ "Views sought on proposed new town in east Devon". BBC News. 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  16. ^ Davis, Miles (2023-12-05). "Site for 8,000-home new town near Exeter approved". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  17. ^ Merritt, Anita (2024-09-02). "Plans for new 8,000-home Devon town to go on show". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  18. ^ "Marlcombe recognised in national programme for next-generation new towns". East Devon District Council. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  19. ^ Gerrard, Bradley (2 October 2025). "New Devon town bags government backing". Crediton Courier.
  20. ^ Silver, Jack (29 September 2025). "Two new towns planned near Exeter and Plymouth". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  21. ^ Marrs, Colin (2025-09-28). "Where are the locations shortlisted for new towns?". Construction News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  22. ^ "East Devon New settlement". eastdevonnewsettlement.commonplace.is. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  23. ^ Clarke, Lewis (2025-07-25). "Locals asked to name new Devon town - there are four choices". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  24. ^ "Marlcombe recognised as one of 12 next-generation national new towns". Exmouth Journal. 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  25. ^ "Two Devon sites recommended for development". Radio Exe. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  26. ^ Gerrard, Bradley (2025-09-05). "New major Devon community could shun South West Water". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  27. ^ Merritt, Anita (2024-09-18). "New town of up to 8,000 homes revealed in huge plans". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  28. ^ Goddard, Will (2024-02-16). "Vibrant new town centre is taking shape in Devon". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  29. ^ Gerrard, Bradley (2025-09-30). "East Devon's new town lands massive new endorsement". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  30. ^ Goddard, Will (2023-12-06). "Brand new Devon town will be built near Exeter". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  31. ^ Clark, Daniel (2022-10-31). "Maps of huge new proposed urban areas in Devon". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  32. ^ Merritt, Anita (2024-09-19). "New South West town of up to 8,000 homes revealed in huge plans". Somerset Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
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