Carden Group has submitted plans for its first Garden Village development, which includes over 1,000 homes along with community facilities across 220 acres of land in Exeter.

The strategic land business is privately owned and managed by founder and former chairman of Redrow Steve Morgan CBE, former Redrow group development director Will Heath, and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, landowner and former director at Taylor Wimpey. Carden Group acquired Treasbeare Farm, Cranbrook in January 2021 for an undisclosed sum and has submitted an outline planning application to East Devon District Council for the site, which will be known as Treasbeare Garden Village.

The proposals include 1,035 homes, a neighbourhood centre, a two-form entry primary school with early years provision and public open space that includes play areas and allotments. The village will also provide a sports hub, employment land and an extension to the existing Cranbrook Energy Centre. The extension of the energy centre, which is currently gas fired, will support the transition to low carbon and renewable energy sources as part of the delivery of a zero-carbon town.

Carden Group CEO, Will Heath, said: “Submitting plans for Carden Group’s first site is a major milestone. Treasbeare Garden Village is a landmark scheme and the fact that it’s such a substantial site is reflective of the company’s pedigree, experience and expertise. We were keen to acquire the site as it’s part of East Devon District Council’s West End Strategy and is included in the Cranbrook Plan Area. The East Devon Local Plan identifies a need to provide almost 8,000 new homes in Cranbrook and the vision for the new garden village will contribute towards that total.”

“The vision for Treasbeare Garden Village is to provide a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable mixed-use development including up to 1,035 new homes, employment opportunities, a school, play and sports facilities, and local shop.”

The proposals include 15% affordable housing, located in small clusters throughout the development, and 4% custom and self-build housing.

Subject to planning, the first homes could be ready to move into in summer 2024 and the entire new community complete by 2034.

Plans for a sports hub could provide a floodlit artificial grass pitch alongside rugby and football pitches, tennis courts and a sports pavilion, with associated car and cycle parking and a peripheral multi-use path.

There will be a significant emphasis on open space under the proposals, including an area of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) comprising a walking trail of at least 2.3km, structural planting areas; with measures to protect and create green infrastructure links to maintain connectivity of habitats; more than half a hectare to provide allotments; plus Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to provide wetland habitats.

While Treasbeare Garden Village is the first site acquired by Carden Group, the company is close to acquiring two further sites, which between them would deliver 1,100 homes.