Case Study
Marlcombe, East Devon
Marlcombe is the key part of the Sustainable Growth Corridor that balances housing and economic growth. The Corridor will deliver 14,500 high‑quality, sustainable homes — 10,000 at the new town of Marlcombe and 4,500 within Cranbrook’s expansion areas alongside employment land, community infrastructure, and an integrated network of transport and green spaces, at a scale capable of supporting a self‑sufficient, thriving community. The programme aims to set a new benchmark for climate‑resilient, inclusive growth within a biodiverse and low‑carbon environment. The corridor will coordinate complementary growth at Cranbrook and Marlcombe, alongside the Enterprise Zone and the Airport.
East Devon District Council appointed CBRE to provide strategic planning and advisory support, helping shape a long‑term, place‑led vision for the new settlement. Advice has focused on identifying and assessing potential locations, establishing a 30‑year vision, developing an emerging masterplan and the delivery of Strategic and Outline Business Cases.
A key early challenge was identifying a viable and deliverable location capable of supporting a major new settlement while balancing environmental, landscape, infrastructure and market considerations. A comprehensive options appraisal assessed multiple potential sites, providing robust, evidence‑based recommendations to support informed decision‑making.
Working collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary team, a preferred site was identified and progressed through a clearly articulated vision and masterplanning framework. Extensive stakeholder engagement helped build consensus, ensuring the emerging proposals reflected local ambitions while providing confidence in long‑term deliverability.
The programme is targeting the delivery of up to 14,500 homes in the corridor with a strong emphasis on affordability, sustainability and community infrastructure. The masterplan and business case establish a clear pathway for phased delivery over the long term.
Marlcombe demonstrates how early, strategic planning advice can shape successful place‑led growth, providing a robust foundation for future delivery and creating a replicable model for large‑scale new settlements aligned with national housing and sustainability objectives.
It moves the dial from house building to town‑making as it looks to correct market failures, unlock opportunity, fund upfront infrastructure and services, capture placemaking value, secure long‑term stewardship, identify a dedicated delivery vehicle and deliver a social‑value‑led stewardship strategy. It enables coordinated housing and economic growth and promotes an integrated strategy and infrastructure delivery enabling coordinated masterplanning of physical and social infrastructure, transport, and energy.
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CBRE provided strategic planning and advisory support to help shape a long‑term, place‑led vision for Marlcombe, a major new settlement within East Devon’s Sustainable Growth Corridor. Early, evidence‑led advice has established a clear pathway for delivering a resilient, inclusive new town at scale.