Construction underway on affordable homes for local residents in Ilfracombe

Construction is now underway on 16 new social rent homes in Ilfracombe, marking a significant milestone for a community-led housing project that will provide much-needed affordable homes for local people. The development is being delivered through a partnership between housing association Aster Group and Ilfracombe Community Land Trust (ICLT), working closely with North Devon Council.

Located on the former Bicclescombe Nursery site, which has stood derelict since 1995, the scheme is transforming the brownfield location into a vibrant new community of genuinely affordable homes. The development will comprise eight two-bedroom houses, two three-bedroom houses and six one-bedroom maisonette-style flats, all available for social rent.

Mark Read, Chair of Ilfracombe CLT said: “We are really pleased to have passed this significant milestone. As we move closer to bringing this project to fruition we want to thank North Devon Council for their cooperation and support. The housing crisis has hit Ilfracombe hard with barely any quality affordable accommodation becoming available. We are excited to move forward with Aster and Poltair in this community-led project to provide 16 homes for Ilfracombe with a hope it is the start of a larger response to the desperate need with which we are all too familiar.”

Appointed contractor Poltair Construction began work on site in March 2026 and construction activities are now progressing, bringing the vision of the affordable homes for the local community a step closer to reality. The homes are expected to be completed by the end of spring 2027.

The project has been shaped by feedback from local residents and has been designed to reflect the needs of the community. Alongside the new homes, the development will also include landscaping, wildflower meadow areas and a bespoke bat house, helping to support biodiversity and create a sustainable environment for future residents.

Amanda Williams, Chief Investment Officer at Aster Group, said: “It’s fantastic to see construction now underway on these 16 new social rent homes. We know the difference these homes are going to make to local people and families, providing high-quality, genuinely affordable housing that will benefit the community not just now, but for generations to come.

“This is one of a number of CLT projects currently underway across Devon, demonstrating the growing impact that community-led housing can have in helping to address local housing need. As the leading housing association partner for CLTs, we see first-hand the real value of this approach. Homes that are shaped by local people, for local people, helping communities remain vibrant and sustainable for the future.”

The project has been supported through funding from Homes England's Affordable Homes Programme, alongside funding from the One Public Estate programme and support from North Devon Council, which helped unlock and prepare the site for redevelopment.

Councillor Graham Bell, Lead Member for Housing at North Devon Council, said: "This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when communities, housing providers and local authorities work together towards a shared goal. These 16 new homes will provide much-needed affordable housing for local people and help address local housing need in Ilfracombe.

“North Devon Council is proud to have supported Ilfracombe Community Land Trust and Aster Group in bringing this project forward and look forward to welcoming the first residents when the homes are completed."

CLTs, which are a form of community-led housing, are set up and run by people within their local communities to develop and manage homes as well as other assets. Ilfracombe CLT was formed with a purpose to create affordable, secure homes for local people to rent with confidence and has been supported, like others in North Devon, by Middlemarch Community Housing CIC.

Individuals who would like to join and become a member of the Ilfracombe CLT please head to: Home. People seeking affordable housing must register with Devon Home Choice; only those registered will be considered for the scheme.