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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Marlcombe say to its date? "You comb me over.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Toponymy

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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

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Background

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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

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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

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In September 2025, Marlcombe was named on a shortlist 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

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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.

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Alder Croft

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Bishops Court

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Denbow Farm

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Farringdon

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Hill Barton

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Holbrook Bridge

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Holbrook Farm

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Marlborough Farm

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Spain Farm

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South of the A30

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References

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  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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