Marlcombe

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Marlcombe was a proposed new town in Devon, England. [1] [2]

Contents

Toponymy

The name was chosen through a public consultation because it was an archaic name for the area, dating back to the 17th century. [3] Alternative proposals included Newton Clyst, Willowcrest, and Clysthope. [4]

History

Background

There has been a housing crisis in Devon for many years due to a lack of affordable housing. [5] [6] 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. [7] [8] More development has occurred in East Devon throughout the 2020s. [9]

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. [10] The proposal for the new town properly emerged in 2023. [11] It was described as the new Cranbrook, another nearby new town. [12] The name was decided by public vote. [13] A community consultation on the proposed new town was carried out beforehand. [14] The initial consultation saw 65% of respondents oppose the new town. [15] East Devon District Council described it as "a self-sufficient and dynamic community with a distinctive character". [16] The proposed site covered 500 hectares. [17] In September 2024, two concept masterplans were made public. [18]

Development

In September 2025, Marlcombe was named as one of 12 locations by the Labour government's New Towns Taskforce. [19] In March 2026 the Housing minister did not include it in the final list of seven planned new towns. [20]

The town would reportedly have been a standalone community rather than a commuter suburb of Exeter. [21] This new town in East Devon, along with the new developments in Plymouth, would have accommodated up to 20,000 homes. [22] Local authorities proposed a target of 40% affordable housing. [23] The settlement would have reportedly include new community facilities and employment opportunities. [24] The town would have been built along the banks of the River Clyst. [25] Construction of the first homes was expected by the early 2030s. [26] The new town would have had green spaces, health facilities, schools, and cycle routes with links to the nearby Clyst Valley Regional Park. [27] The towns infrastructure may not have been provided by South West Water and would reportedly have needed multiple treatment plants. [28] It would have had a new town centre, shops, leisure facilities, a cemetery, a park and ride, and gypsy pitches. [29] Around 2,500 new homes had been expected by 2040. [30] In March 2026, Marlcombe was not on a list of confirmed locations for new towns meaning the future of the project is uncertain. [31]

Geography

The proposed town would be constructed between the A30 and A3052 roads, immediately south of Exeter Airport. [32] It would border the Devon County Showground at Westpoint. [33] Much of the land between the dual carriageways is currently used as farmland, while some parts of the site include ancient woodland. [34] [35] The town was to be located on land between the Crealy Theme Park & Resort and the nearby Hill Barton business park. [13] Marlcombe was to be close to the villages of Clyst Honiton, Clyst St Mary, Farringdon, Sowton, and Westcott.

Alder Croft

Bishops Court

Denbow Farm

Farringdon

Hill Barton

Holbrook Bridge

Holbrook Farm

Marlborough Farm

Spain Farm

South of the A30

References

  1. ↑ "These three new towns will begin construction before the next election". The Independent . 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  2. ↑ "Ministers confirm locations for seven new towns in England". The Guardian . 2026-03-23. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  3. ↑ Davis, Miles (3 September 2025). "Public chooses name for 8,000-home new Devon town". BBC News . Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  4. ↑ "Favourite name emerges for East Devon's second new town". Midweek Herald. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  5. ↑ "Devon housing crisis needs urgent action, report warns". BBC News. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  6. ↑ "Report reveals 'growing crisis' for renters in Devon and Cornwall". BBC News. 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  7. ↑ "Devon eco-town of Cranbrook given planning permission". BBC News. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  8. ↑ "Work set to start on new town at Cranbrook in Devon". BBC News. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  9. ↑ "Housing approved as Cranbrook new town grows". BBC News. 2023-07-23. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  10. ↑ "New town and hundreds of homes in East Devon plan". BBC News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ Clark, Daniel (2022-10-26). "'Second Cranbrook' could be built near Exeter Airport". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  13. 1 2 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.
  14. ↑ Gerrard, Bradley (2024-09-24). "'Lessons will be learned' for Devon's new town". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  15. ↑ "Preferred location of new Devon town to be discussed". BBC News. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  16. ↑ "Views sought on proposed new town in east Devon". BBC News. 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  17. ↑ Davis, Miles (2023-12-05). "Site for 8,000-home new town near Exeter approved". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  18. ↑ Merritt, Anita (2024-09-02). "Plans for new 8,000-home Devon town to go on show". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  19. ↑ "Marlcombe recognised in national programme for next-generation new towns". East Devon District Council. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  20. ↑ "Ministers confirm locations for seven new towns in England". The Guardian . 2026-03-23. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  21. ↑ Gerrard, Bradley (2 October 2025). "New Devon town bags government backing". Crediton Courier.
  22. ↑ Silver, Jack (29 September 2025). "Two new towns planned near Exeter and Plymouth". BBC News . Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  23. ↑ Marrs, Colin (2025-09-28). "Where are the locations shortlisted for new towns?". Construction News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  24. ↑ "East Devon New settlement". eastdevonnewsettlement.commonplace.is. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  25. ↑ Clarke, Lewis (2025-07-25). "Locals asked to name new Devon town - there are four choices". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  26. ↑ "Marlcombe recognised as one of 12 next-generation national new towns". Exmouth Journal. 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  27. ↑ "Two Devon sites recommended for development". Radio Exe. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  28. ↑ Gerrard, Bradley (2025-09-05). "New major Devon community could shun South West Water". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  29. ↑ Merritt, Anita (2024-09-18). "New town of up to 8,000 homes revealed in huge plans". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  30. ↑ Goddard, Will (2024-02-16). "Vibrant new town centre is taking shape in Devon". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  31. ↑ "Ministers confirm locations for seven new towns in England". The Guardian. 22 March 2026.
  32. ↑ Gerrard, Bradley (2025-09-30). "East Devon's new town lands massive new endorsement". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  33. ↑ Goddard, Will (2023-12-06). "Brand new Devon town will be built near Exeter". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  34. ↑ Clark, Daniel (2022-10-31). "Maps of huge new proposed urban areas in Devon". Devon Live. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  35. ↑ 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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