Massive Exeter student flats block gets the go-ahead

A huge block of student flats has been given the go-ahead by Exeter city councillors by a narrow margin despite them hearing it described as ‘overbearing’.

Zinc Real Estate will build the 10-storey building containing nearly 300 purpose-built flats for Exeter University students on the site of the city’s current JobCentre at Clarendon House on Western Way.
Cllr Lynn Wetenhall (Green, Newton and St Leonards) said Exeter already had enough purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and student numbers were declining. The site could be used for general housing instead.
“Be brave enough to push back on the argument that this is only suitable for students,” she urged the committee. “I believe it would be suitable for high-quality flats.”
Keith Lewis of the Exeter Civic Society said the proposed building was ‘overbearing’ and the applicant had prioritised height and rooms over the city’s heritage.
“The scale and massing of the development will create harm to our city,” he said. “What public benefit is there?”
But Matthew Rowe of Rok Planning said more than 10,000 Exeter university students were in houses of multiple occupation, and having more PBSA would free up other properties for local families.
“If there is any harm here, it is at the lowest degree,” he said. “There is a degree of harm, but this should be balanced against the substantial package of public benefits.”
Historic England has raised concerns about the design of the building but has not lodged a formal objection.
Manchester-based Zinc Real Estate initially shared proposed plans in December 2023 to demolish Clarendon House and build a 20-storey student block offering 350 beds.
Following feedback, a revised scheme cut the number of student rooms to 297, and reduced the highest part of the building to 10 storeys. 
The council’s strategic director for place Ian Collinson told members: “This is probably one of the best locations you could possibly find for student accommodation.
“This is the kind of location where we can be ambitious. It is a gateway site, so it needs a gateway building.
“I am struggling to think of a better place to have a tall building in Exeter city centre.”
But Cllr Michael Mitchell (Lib Dem, Duryard and St James) expressed concerns about the size of the building, and said: “This is going to be here for generations, so it is important that we get it right.
“The density and massing is too much for that site. It’s almost there, but it’s not perfect, and it has got to be perfect because it will be there for the next 50 or 60 years.”
Cllr Yvonne Atkinson (Lab, Alphington) put forward a motion to defer a decision for more discussions on the size of the building, but was defeated by a single vote.
Planning permission was then granted by six votes to three, with Cllr Atkinson abstaining.