PLANNING permission has been given to rebuild a Grade II listed farmhouse west of Crediton that was devastated by a fire last year.

On November 30, 2025, a blaze destroyed Hollacombe House’s roof, the first-floor partitions and 90 per cent of the first floor and significantly damaged the ground floor.

Mr and Mrs Cooper of Hollacombe Farm applied to rebuild the house rather than de-list or demolish it. They can now restore the historic home, which was probably built in the 16th or 17th century, according to its listing, was rebuilt in the 18th century and then refurbished in the mid-19th century.

They can also reorganise some of the rear northern rooms, including creating a kitchen in the former northwest barn area (lobby/ office), reorganising the kitchen porch and 20th century toilet into a boot-room, among other minor fixes.

“Prior to the fire, the first-floor plan had late 20th century ensuites and storage areas carved out of principal rooms and the rear passage. The proposal seeks to rectify these modifications, giving due consideration to the arrangement and proportions of what would be expected in a house of this stature,” planning documents had said.

“First and foremost, this is a home, it is not a building of great cultural value. It has undergone significant latter 20th century modifications.

“Modification to the ground floor plan proposes no historic material damage: the proposed new openings reestablished former openings.

“The first-floor plan arrangement is an improvement on that of the pre-fire.

“This proposal should be weighed against recent 20th/21st century modifications made prior to the fire and the current shell of a building that remains.

“There is a lot that was/is not historic, particularly materials.

“At this point any attempt to rebuild the house must be considered positive.”

Both Historic England and Crediton Hamlets Parish Council declined to comment on the application.

Hollacombe Farm is located at postcode EX17 5BW around one kilometre west of Crediton.

You can see the application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 26/01155/LBC.

An application to install a new roof has already been approved.

The council said the works were “acceptable in that they would cause less than substantial harm to the special interest of the listed building, but this has been balanced against the public benefit of implementation”.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

You can see that application on the council’s website under reference 26/00393/LBC.