North Molton Parish News

Exmoor local housing need questionnaire

The survey is a collaboration between Somerset and North Devon Councils, as local housing authorities, and Exmoor National Park Authority. Somerset Council will be analysing the responses and, later next year, they will prepare a summary report with information on housing need for each Exmoor parish.

A letter with information about an online housing need questionnaire, has been sent to households in Exmoor National Park and Brushford parish. The letter includes a link and QR code to the survey which is designed to be simple and easy to complete. The information provided through the survey will be dealt with in strict confidence. It will be vital to those considering housing need and provision and will help inform the future Exmoor Local Plan review. The survey is aimed at those who might be finding accommodation in the local area unaffordable, whose home no longer meets their needs, or who wish to own their own home through a self/custom build project.

The letter to Exmoor residents also asks that the survey be shared with people who have moved away and want to return, local workers who live away and travel into the National Park to work or who live on Exmoor with family or others because of the cost of local housing. Anybody wishing to set up their own home, e.g. young people approaching adulthood, is encouraged to complete their own survey separately.

Parish surveys have been the starting point for almost 120 homes with a local need occupancy tie, achieved in Exmoor’s communities through conversions and new build and as self-build.

Additionally, local libraries (Dulverton, Lynton, Porlock and South Molton) have access to a computer and will have paper copies for those who are unable to complete an online survey. If requested, we can provide paper copies to parish /town councils for their parishioners who cannot complete an online survey or visit a local library.

Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) is a voluntary group of young people from across Exmoor, seeking viable and sustainable ‘life’ and ‘work’ opportunities for young residents. They tackle many issues for young people on the moor, including housing, digital inclusion, employment, communications, travel and local wages.

EVY have kindly provided two copies of the Justin Tyers book "How to self build your dream home for £99,000 - or less!" to North Molton Parish Council and you can arrange to borrow a copy for up to 2 months from the Parish Clerk - contact via nmpclerk@gmail.com.  This is only a loan, and return is expected so that others can also benefit from the EYV donation.

Alternatively, you can go to the EYV page and find out how to get your own copy.

Please find attached the presentation from Cavanna Homes that was made at our last Parish Council meeting (11/09/24). Details of the discussion can be found in the minutes (under Parish Council, Meeting Minutes).

The first turf has been cut to mark the start of construction at a new community in the village of North Molton by Westcountry housebuilder Cavanna Homes.

The development of 39 open market and affordable homes has been named Hollywell Meadow, after a unanimous vote by local schoolchildren at North Molton Primary School.

Five children from the school, with their Headteacher Angela Fernyhough, joined the village’s Parish Council Chair Sir Richard Peek, North Devon District Councillor, Liz Bulled and Director of Land and Design at Cavanna Homes, Michael Newman, for the ceremony at Hollywell Meadow off Fore Street.

Pupils Arthur Bolton, Tabitha Noble, Dougie Butt, Brennan Thomas and Josie Alford, donned hard hats and hi-vis jackets for the event to celebrate naming the new community of homes.

The ceremony marks the beginning of building work on 39 homes, 11 of which will be marketed as affordable and available for shared ownership or social rent.

Sir Richard said: “This is an exciting time for North Molton with a community of new homes coming forward by a local homebuilder. It was a pleasure to mark the start of construction on-site and I look forward to seeing the scheme take shape.”

Cllr Bulled said: “This is positive for the village with lots of advantages which wouldn’t be possible without a new housing development, such as the new footpath from the sports centre to the school, creating safer walking routes for children and their families. It’s great to see that affordable housing has also been allocated for the community.”

The one to four-bedroom homes will be energy efficient, fitted with air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. High levels of insulation and double-glazing will be installed in every property.

The scheme will include a village green, allotments, a play area and a footpath to the village sports and community centre.

Children from North Molton Primary School named the development site, Hollywell Meadow in a vote held earlier this year.

Classes across the whole school took part in the ballot to choose from three possible names on a shortlist, drawn up by Torquay-based Cavanna Homes. Mrs Fernyhough, the Headteacher, said: “Every class voted for the name – Hollywell Meadow – it was a unanimous decision, and the children are so pleased to have played a part in this new community.”

The properties are expected to bring new families to the thriving North Devon village. As part of the planning agreement, Cavanna Homes will provide funding for secondary education, secondary school transport and highway improvements.

The Marketing Suite at Hollywell Meadow will be open in late summer, with a Show Home available for would-be buyers to view in spring 2025.

For more information about Hollywell Meadow, visit: www.cavannahomes.co.uk/developments/north-molton.