The first phase, which includes access and design for 55 self-build plots, will be built under the Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury partnership banners.

Up to 196 of these will be reserved for local people via housing associations.

The overall scheme will deliver 1,435 new dwellings and received outline planning permission 18 months ago.

The plans also include a Neighbourhood Centre, 630-place primary school, 60-place Special Educational Needs school, place of worship, cemetery, and over 27 hectares of open space with various recreational facilities.

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It follows approval for 92 new homes near Cranbrook’s town centre and school. The Cranbrook Plan was adopted by the East Devon District Council in October 2022 and sets out how the town will grow to accommodate around 20,000 people, ensuring it has the facilities and services needed to make it a thriving place to live.

“We are very pleased to have reached this latest milestone in delivering hundreds of new homes for people in Devon through this resolution to grant planning permission for our first phase of the Cranbrook Expansion Plan,” said Daniel Heathcote, managing director at Persimmon Homes South West.

“Our plans for Cranbrook are built around the principle of creating a sense of place which is why, alongside high-quality homes, our vision includes a neighbourhood centre, schools, green space, and other public amenities.

“We look forward to working with East Devon District Council so we can start delivering these much-needed new homes.”