Historic England opposes building homes on Braunton Great Field, calling it historically important. They say it damages a rare farming system.
The housing would be on Broadlands Farm, on Saunton Road. This farm is part of Braunton Great Field, which is historically important as a rare, old farming system.
Braunton Community Land Trust wants permission to build homes for social rent. Historic England wants them to build elsewhere. The Trust says they searched extensively and this site is close to village amenities, and they own this piece of land.
The site is outside the village boundary, considered a ‘rural exception site.’ Ninety families need housing in Braunton, and this need is considered significant.
The Trust would own these homes and a local provider would rent them to locals; these homes can never be sold. Braunton Parish Council supports the plan and thirty-nine people support the homes, with only one person objecting to it.
Council officers suggest refusing the application and Historic England strongly objects to it. Preserving the Great Field is very important, as the field shows how medieval farmers worked, each farming strips of land together.
The strips were about one acre. Farmers shared good and bad soil equally. These fields reveal medieval life, showing farming, society, and land ownership; it is truly a window into history.
Historic England understands the need for homes. However, the plan cuts into part of the Great Field, damaging its historic elements. They feel the field is like a monument.
The council deferred the application. They want to visit the site and are also looking at other locations.
Two other sites are being discussed, but the Trust does not own these sites. The Saunton Road land was picked after a vote, and the Trust thinks it is different from the field.
A housing officer said Braunton has a housing crisis. Many homes are now rentals, creating a lack of affordable homes. This plan provides social rent homes and will address the need for housing.