Damien Hirst: Artist's Ilfracombe land used for houses 9 December 2013 Last updated at 13:47 Hundreds of new homes could be built on land owned by millionaire artist Damien Hirst in north Devon. The outline application for Ilfracombe also includes plans for a primary school, shops, business units and a health centre. The artist's plans for homes "he would like to live in" have been the focus of public exhibitions and workshops for more than a year. Last year Hirst donated a giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman to the town. Employment boost Known as Verity, the sculpture - on loan for 20 years - divided opinion in the town, although councillors insisted it had brought in more visitors and had had a "tremendous effect." A decision on the outline application for the Southern Extension, submitted by David Locke Associates, is not expected until next May or June. Winsham Farm - bought by Hirst about 10 years ago - is near the centre of the proposed 187-acre development, although four other landowners are involved. Architect Mike Rundell told planners earlier this year that the artist wanted to create a "blueprint" for environmental housing which would help regenerate the area. "He has a horror of building anonymous, lifeless buildings," he said. He wants these houses to be the kind of homes he would want to live in. The outline planning application does not include details of the design of the new houses - some of which will be categorised as "affordable" properties - and it is not clear whether Hirst himself will be involved. Mr Rundell's company, MRJ Rundell and Associates, declined to comment. Like his Verity sculpture, the artist's proposed development has prompted a mixed reaction from local people. Resident David Watts said while he believed Hirst's intentions were good, his vision was a "pipe dream" which would "wipe out" much of the local wildlife. "We're a seaside resort, our transport's not wonderful and there aren't a lot of jobs about, so who's going to buy all these houses?" he asked. I've nothing against the artist. He's got a lot of money, but in my opinion he'd be better off using it for an all-weather attraction. At the moment people can stand in the rain and watch Verity get wet, and that's it. But Councillor Mike Edmunds said the development would be of "huge benefit" to the town. "There is a considerable amount of work still to do, but we've got to think about the long-term future of Ilfracombe, and I think this will be a major step forward in the town's regeneration," he said. It will bring jobs and the mix of affordable and high-quality homes should attract more young families to the area.