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.