InformationMarlcombe - An Overview
Marlcombe is a new town in the Clyst Valley, minutes from Exeter and at the heart of the South West’s innovation spine, centered on the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone. Bringing together science, enterprise, culture, active living and nature, Marlcombe will create an outstanding place to live, work and thrive.
A Place Designed for People & Planet
- 10,000 new homes, supporting around 25,000 residents
- Up to 40% affordable housing, creating an inclusive, intergenerational community
- A new town centre delivered early, offering workspace, leisure, culture and daily amenities
- Two neighbourhood hubs and walkable communities
- Homes within 8 minutes of a transport hub
- A town shaped around health, active travel, nature and innovation
Unmatched Connectivity
Marlcombe offers seamless access to:
- Exeter city centre in under 30 minutes by bike, bus or rail
- Fast rail services to Bristol, London Paddington and Waterloo
- Exeter Airport for international links
- Exmouth, Sidmouth, and the Jurassic Coast in under 30 minutes
- The M5 and Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone employment hubs
This doesn’t just deliver convenience, it draws people, talent and investment into East Devon.
A Hub for Innovation & Enterprise
Located alongside one of the South West’s strongest innovation clusters, Marlcombe connects with:
- Exeter Science Park
- Skypark
- Power Park
- Exeter University & Exeter College
Flexible workspace, high-quality homes and nature-rich environments support innovation-led sectors, helping retain graduates and skilled professionals.
A new benchmark for Sustainable, Active Living
Marlcombe is designed from the ground up around wellbeing, nature and community:
- Strong active travel routes
- Major sports and outdoor recreation facilities
- Biodiverse, climate-resilient green spaces
- Walkable neighbourhoods that reduce car dependency
It sets a new standard for low-carbon, future-ready living in the region.
Celebrating Makers, Producers & Culture
Building on East Devon’s nationally recognised sectors of food and drink and a culture of craft and creativity, Marlcombe will feature:
- Spaces for artisans, independent businesses and local producers
- A lively town centre with markets and cultural activity
- Public art and creative interventions
- Connections to Exeter’s cultural scene
Marlcombe is both a place to experience culture and a place that cultivates creativity.
Environmental Leadership
Surrounded by internationally significant landscapes—from the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve to the UNESCO Jurassic Coast—Marlcombe will champion:
- Low-carbon development
- Nature-rich, climate-resilient infrastructure
- Clean energy and sustainable planning
It shows economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand as befits an area with world leading expertise in environmental and climate science.
Impact
Marlcombe will:
- Deliver an inclusive and future-ready community that is appealing to all generations
- Strengthen a key economic corridor
- Provide a platform for clean growth, low-carbon enterprise and innovation
- Bring together city life with Devon’s natural environment
A New Standard for the South West
Marlcombe is one of the South West’s most significant opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation, and a town that will transform everyday living into a life of discovery, wellbeing and progress.