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Damien Hirst: Artist's Ilfracombe land used for houses Damien Hirst plans 750 homes in Ilfracombe
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of new homes could be built on land owned by multi-millionaire artist Damien Hirst in north Devon. Artist Damien Hirst plans to build 750 homes on land he owns 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 desire for homes "he would like to live in" has been the focus of public exhibitions and workshops for more than a year.
A decision on the outline application for the Southern Extension is not expected until May or June.
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
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. 'Lifeless horror'
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 housing 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. The outline planning application does not include details of the design of the new houses - some of which will be categorised as "affordable" properties - but a spokesperson for Hirst said the artist would be involved in this.
Architect Mike Rundell told planners earlier this year 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. But 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.
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.
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.
But Councillor Mike Edmunds said the development would be of "huge benefit" to the town. "At the moment people can stand in the rain and watch Verity get wet, and that's it."
"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."