Developers of the former CeramTec site in Colyton hope to start construction work in spring 2022.

Homes England secured outline planning permission for the development of up to 72 new homes and light industrial units in June 2020.

Demolition work on the site was completed in late January and Homes England has since exchanged contracts for the sale of the former factory site with Wainhomes South West, which will be taking forward the development.

Sam Gammon of Homes England said: "We are confident that Wainhomes will bring the local flair and passion that we know will be important to the residents and businesses of Colyton."

Wainhomes is now intending to submit a planning application for the details of the development in June or July and hope to be able to start construction work in spring 2022.

Speaking at Colyton Parish Council's Planning Committee earlier this month, the company's land and planning director, Mark Harding, said they were looking at the use of familiar local construction materials and, while flint may be restricted by cost, it will be considered along with render, stone and brick.

As a regional developer, they will be using tradespeople from the South West.

Timber frame is a likely construction method being favoured for its environmental credentials and capacity to work under cover more quickly.

On the energy front, they will look beyond gas given its limited lifetime.

The company is open to exploratory discussions with the Colyton & Colyton Community Land Trust about a partnership to handle the 14 affordable homes planned within the site.

It has also asked the parish council for its views on the possibility of moving the planned public open space from the top of the site to an area nearer the road in order to reduce the need for steps.

The parish council was able to salvage 90 of the notable panes of designer glass from the former CeramTec office windows, thanks to the demolition crew from Hughes & Salvidge.

Originally manufactured in Germany during the 1960s by the Rosenthal Group, the council hopes these unique panes of glass can be reused to create a fitting memorial to CeramTec's contribution to 50 years of Colyton's social history.

As the panes are only about one inch thick and not chunky glass block bricks as hoped, using them as previously suggested for a water feature is no longer practical. The council is now seeking suggestions for their use from residents and you can email your suggestions to [email protected]

With thanks to Barrie Hedges and Colyton Parish Newsletter for this content

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