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Damien Hirst: Artist's Ilfracombe land used for houses | Damien Hirst: Artist's Ilfracombe land used for houses |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of new homes could be built on land owned by millionaire artist Damien Hirst in north Devon. | Hundreds of new homes could be built on land owned by millionaire artist Damien Hirst in north Devon. |
The outline application for Ilfracombe also includes plans for a primary school, shops, business units and a health centre. | The outline application for Ilfracombe also includes plans for a primary school, shops, business units and a health centre. |
The artist's plans for homes "he would like to live in" have been the focus of public exhibitions and workshops for more than a year. | The artist's plans for homes "he would like to live in" have been the focus of public exhibitions and workshops for more than a year. |
Last year Hirst donated a giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman to the town. | Last year Hirst donated a giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman to the town. |
Employment boost | Employment boost |
Known as Verity, the sculpture - on loan for 20 years - divided opinion in the town, although councillors insisted it had brought in more visitors and had had a "tremendous effect". | Known as Verity, the sculpture - on loan for 20 years - divided opinion in the town, although councillors insisted it had brought in more visitors and had had a "tremendous effect". |
A decision on the outline application for the Southern Extension, submitted by David Lock Associates, is not expected until next May or June. | |
Winsham Farm - bought by Hirst about 10 years ago - is near the centre of the proposed 187-acre development, although four other landowners are involved. | Winsham Farm - bought by Hirst about 10 years ago - is near the centre of the proposed 187-acre development, although four other landowners are involved. |
Architect Mike Rundell told planners earlier this year that the artist wanted to create a "blueprint" for environmental housing which would help regenerate the area. | Architect Mike Rundell told planners earlier this year that the artist wanted to create a "blueprint" for environmental housing which would help regenerate the area. |
"He has a horror of building anonymous, lifeless buildings," he said. | "He has a horror of building anonymous, lifeless buildings," he said. |
"He wants these houses to be the kind of homes he would want to live in." | "He wants these houses to be the kind of homes he would want to live in." |
The outline planning application does not include details of the design of the new houses - some of which will be categorised as "affordable" properties - and it is not clear whether Hirst himself will be involved. | The outline planning application does not include details of the design of the new houses - some of which will be categorised as "affordable" properties - and it is not clear whether Hirst himself will be involved. |
Mr Rundell's company, MRJ Rundell and Associates, declined to comment. | Mr Rundell's company, MRJ Rundell and Associates, declined to comment. |
Like his Verity sculpture, the artist's proposed development has prompted a mixed reaction from local people. | Like his Verity sculpture, the artist's proposed development has prompted a mixed reaction from local people. |
Resident David Watts said while he believed Hirst's intentions were good, his vision was a "pipe dream" which would "wipe out" much of the local wildlife. | Resident David Watts said while he believed Hirst's intentions were good, his vision was a "pipe dream" which would "wipe out" much of the local wildlife. |
"We're a seaside resort, our transport's not wonderful and there aren't a lot of jobs about, so who's going to buy all these houses?" he asked. | "We're a seaside resort, our transport's not wonderful and there aren't a lot of jobs about, so who's going to buy all these houses?" he asked. |
"I've nothing against the artist. He's got a lot of money, but in my opinion he'd be better off using it for an all-weather attraction. At the moment people can stand in the rain and watch Verity get wet, and that's it." | "I've nothing against the artist. He's got a lot of money, but in my opinion he'd be better off using it for an all-weather attraction. At the moment people can stand in the rain and watch Verity get wet, and that's it." |
But Councillor Mike Edmunds said the development would be of "huge benefit" to the town. | But Councillor Mike Edmunds said the development would be of "huge benefit" to the town. |
"There is a considerable amount of work still to do, but we've got to think about the long-term future of Ilfracombe, and I think this will be a major step forward in the town's regeneration," he said. | "There is a considerable amount of work still to do, but we've got to think about the long-term future of Ilfracombe, and I think this will be a major step forward in the town's regeneration," he said. |
"It will bring jobs and the mix of affordable and high-quality homes should attract more young families to the area." | "It will bring jobs and the mix of affordable and high-quality homes should attract more young families to the area." |