The 750-home development, to be built over a 10-15 year schedule, will generate 100 construction jobs every year.
Damien Hirst’s 750-home development plan has received backing from a north Devon councillor, calling it “exactly what Ilfracombe needs”.
The plan will see 76.6 hectares of land developed into a series of homes, a new school, open spaces, sports facilities and small businesses.
Resign Ltd, employed by Hirst’s company Science Ltd, has now submitted the plans to the council.
Cllr Phillip Webb, a member of Ilfracombe’s Regeneration Board, said: “This is exactly what Ilfracombe needs. I’m very optimistic it’s going to happen because so much effort has gone into it so far.”
The site is estimated to take 10-15 years to build, with 100 construction jobs created every year. 140 jobs will be created during development, with 35 more after completion.
Mike Edmunds, executive member for strategic planning at North Devon Council, said: “Damien Hirst is behind the project and he will have his input on the design. I’ve always been very positive about his involvement with Ilfracombe and we’re lucky to have someone with his financial clout.”
In a response to a question on whether the development would attract mainly second home buyers, Edmunds said: “This will always be a problem but the council’s asking for 30% affordable housing.”
At a meeting last year, Mike Rundell of MRJ Rundell Asoociates, the appointed architects, said: “Damien is a local developer. He lives locally, shops locally, owns local businesses and his children go to local schools. He cares about Ilfracombe and wants this project to have a positive effect on the town.”
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