North Devon set for new homes as national housing demand rises

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North Devon set for new homes as national housing demand rises

A new housing development in North Devon is due to officially open later this month, as local and national authorities face ongoing challenges in delivering enough homes to meet demand.

Tarka Coombe, at Landkey near Barnstaple, will open to buyers on Saturday 24 January, with two show homes available to view.

The development arrives against the backdrop of a long‑running national housing shortage, which government figures estimate requires around 300,000 new homes to be built in England each year to keep up with population growth and household formation.

Despite this target, recent data show that housing delivery has consistently fallen short. Government figures for the year to mid‑2025 suggest that net additional homes in England were well below the annual benchmark needed to hit the target over five years.

Industry groups and housing charities warn that without stronger policy support the wider target, to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the current Parliament, will not be met.

A joint analysis from the National Housing Federation and the Home Builders Federation suggests a likely shortfall unless funding and planning interventions are expanded.

Regional pressures magnify these national trends.

In North Devon and neighbouring Torridge, recent changes to national housing requirements mean councils are expected to plan for more than 1,300 new homes a year, a significant increase from previous targets.

Councils warned that the rise in targets could make it harder to balance development with protection of local landscapes.

Average house prices in Devon are several times higher than typical local incomes, making homeownership challenging for many residents.

The Tarka Coombe development will deliver 105 new homes, including 45 affordable properties, helping local people access housing closer to work and family.

Developers say the new Tarka Coombe homes have been designed with energy efficiency in mind and will include features such as electric vehicle charging points on selected houses. The wider site plan includes green space and enhancements to nearby community facilities.

The development is within walking distance of local amenities, including shops, a pub, a post office, a community centre and a primary school, and benefits from transport links to Barnstaple and Exeter.

People interested in attending the opening weekend on 24 January are being asked to register with the developer in advance.

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