The first phase of Habitat First Group’s Birchwood development for 17 holiday homes with recreational facilities has been granted planning permission by North Devon Council.

Purchased in 2012, Habitat First Group have now completed all remediation works to the Venn Quarry, making rock faces safe, remodelling the site and introducing new biodiversity habitats. The Birchwood development sits at the edge of the old quarry workings, in an opening surrounded by mature trees.

The vision for Birchwood is to create a sustainable and inclusive community where visitors can relax in a natural biodiverse environment, with opportunities to enjoy nature, open space, landscape and recreation.

Willmore Iles Architects have managed and coordinated the application, working in unison with The Landmark Practice and Stantec to support Habitat First Group in obtaining planning permission for the Phase One of Birchwood development – The Stockyard, Lime Woods and the Culm.
The designs create a sense of place; providing a unique natural retreat. High quality architecture and sustainable principles are integrated with the layout enhancing natural features and ecology.

Habitat First Group have announced that the first plot has been sold and Phase One of the development has started on site. We look forward to working on future phases.

Birchwood is the third residential nature reserve estate proposed by Habitat First Group, the team behind Lower Mill Estate in The Cotswolds and Silverlake in Dorset.