Modern artist Damien Hirst – famous for his pickled sheep – is proposing to build up to 500 eco-homes on Devon, reports Construction Enquirer. He is planning to submit a planning application this summer for the site at the farm he owns near Ilfracombe in Devon and start construction next year.
Hirst’s architect Mike Rundell of MRJ Rundell Associates revealed the plans this week at a council meeting.
The plans involve utilising land at Winsham Farm, which has been owned by Hirst for the past ten years, as well as nearby Channel Farm and Bowden Farm.
The North Devon Journal reported that Rundell told the meeting: “I’m a representative of Damien Hirst. He owns 40% of the land we are talking about.He cares about Ilfracombe and wants this project to have a positive effect on the town.“He wants these buildings to be landmarks that will stand the test of time and create a blueprint for quality, environmentally sustainable developments across the country.
“Ilfracombe will be a pioneer and Damien is incredibly excited about it.”
Rundell said the houses would be modern in design and could incorporate state of the art environmental features such as photovoltaic panels, concealed wind turbines in the roofs and increased insulation.
He added that the success of the development would depend on the level of cooperation from North Devon Council in terms of a section 106 agreement.
