New homes a ‘massive step forward’ for town

MORE than £1.2 million of borrowing has been agreed by North Devon Council to get 14 new homes in Ilfracombe over the line, in what was described as a “massive step forward”.

- ALISON STEPHENSON

Eleven one-bed flats and three two-bed flats will be provided at 36 and 38 Oxford Grove and the former Royal Mail building, properties purchased by the council with a ‘healthy homes’ Government grant.

They will all be available for social rent in the heart of the town centre, which is the most deprived area in the county, where life expectancy is around 15 years shorter than more affluent parts of Devon, and will be among the first social homes under control of the council in a generation, now it has registered as a local authority housing provider.

North Devon Council secured nearly £1.9 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2024 to improve housing standards in Ilfracombe but it faces a funding gap to complete the conversions, which have both been given planning permission.