Exciting plans for a new family-focused community space in Devon’s youngest town have been given the green light.
Approved by Cabinet on Wednesday (October 8), the new space would bring children’s services and public health nursing together under one roof – making it easier for families to get the support they need, all in one welcoming place.
The new ‘dedicated community space’ would be housed within East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) planned Cranbrook Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Campus.
Cranbrook is Devon’s ‘youngest’ town – it’s the county’s newest town and roughly 30 per cent of the population are children under 16.
The town is expected to eventually grow from about 3,300 homes today to 8,000 and the young age profile is driving increasing demand for early‑years, youth and family services.
The plan approved today is to use up to £3 million of Section 106 developer contributions to build the facilities to house children’s services and Public Health Nursing.
EDDC is due to consider the overall leisure project later this month, with a planning application expected to be made in summer 2026. The leisure building would form part of the Cranbrook Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Campus along with a separate neighbourhood health centre.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband said:
“Cranbrook is growing fast, and so is the need for spaces that support families. Creating a flexible, welcoming area within the Cranbrook Leisure Campus offers a great opportunity to meet that need. By placing it alongside other well-used community services, we can help make support for children and families feel more natural and less stigmatised – just part of everyday life in a thriving new town.”
Councillor Paul Arnott, the Leader of EDDC and the Deputy Leader of DCC said:
“This announcement from Devon County Council is a welcome addition to our exciting plans to deliver wellbeing and leisure facilities in Cranbrook, so that together we can continue to support and meet the needs of our residents.”
Councillor Kevin Blakey, Vice Chairman of Cranbrook Town Council said:
“We are delighted to see this collaborative approach to creating spaces that support the health and wellbeing of our growing community. We really appreciate this investment in Cranbrook, which will bring vital services for residents and strengthen our town as a great place to live.”
