Turf cutting ceremony marks the start of works at Ilfracombe new build homes site
The Mayor of Ilfracombe joined representatives from Devonshire Homes, Lloyds Bank, and the Housing Growth Partnership (HGP) at an official turf cutting ceremony in Ilfracombe to mark the start of works on a significant new homes scheme for the area.
Cllr Dan Turton donned a hard hat and hi-vis jacket alongside Managing Director of Devonshire Homes, Angus Cook, Construction Director Paul Coombes, Sales and Marketing Director Jane Pearce, Sales Manager Sarah Hall, Lloyds Bank representatives Rebecca Wicks and Paul Collings and Investment Director at HGP Arnaud de Blay to cut the first patch of turf at the Devonshire Homes site.
The traditional ceremony, known as the ‘turf cutting’, is held to mark the formal start of works following the completion of land purchase. Construction is expected to start towards the end of the year.
The 50-acre development, named Mariner’s Haven, will ultimately deliver 347 high-quality new homes, 38 of which are affordable, on land off Old Barnstaple Road in Ilfracombe.
Available to reserve in 2024 will be a range of one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses of which a high proportion will benefit from stunning sea views. Built to the high-quality standards the local independent housebuilder is known for, each one will offer stylish, practical, and modern living space with carefully designed exteriors that remain sympathetic to the local environment.
Angus Cook, Managing Director at Devonshire Homes, commented: “We’re delighted to reach another milestone at our new site in Ilfracombe, Mariner’s Haven. The acquisition of land off Old Barnstaple Road has been made possible thanks to our partners HGP and Lloyds Bank which share Devonshire Homes’ vision of bringing much-needed, high-quality energy efficient new homes to local people who really need them. It was a pleasure to welcome Cllr Turton to the site and we look forward to construction starting soon.”
Enhancing the community, Devonshire Homes will be making several contributions to the local area under the S106 agreement, totalling £2,000,000. This will include sports pitches, a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), LEAP (local equipment area for play), LAPS (local area for play) and open space. Land will also be provided for a school and community facility to be built.
Mariner’s Haven, located off Old Barnstaple Road in Ilfracombe, is close to the A361, ensuring an excellent link to Barnstaple and the A39 into North Cornwall. Ilfracombe itself boasts plenty of amenities including a Tesco superstore and Lidl, beaches, a pretty harbour which is home to Damien Hirst’s famous Verity statue, leisure centre, restaurants, pubs, and Cairn Nature Reserve. For families, there is schooling for all ages with the closest being The Ilfracombe Academy and Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School.
To register your interest in Mariner’s Haven, visit www.devonshirehomes.co.uk or email marinershaven@devonshirehomes.co.uk.