Developers plan 800+ student and co-living apartments on Exeter’s old police station and magistrates court site, claiming past planning issues are resolved. The seven-block scheme could be approved at the city council planning meeting on 8 December.
Developers bidding to build a huge housing complex on the site of Exeter’s old police station believe they have done enough to overcome previous planning problems.
The plans for a giant seven-block complex of more than 800 student accommodation and co-living apartments on the site of the old police station and magistrates court in Heavitree Road could get the green light next week (December 8).
The scheme is the only item on the agenda for a meeting of Exeter City Council’s planning committee, and officers are recommending councillors to say yes to the revised plans.
A report to the committee says: “The benefits arising from the development will significantly outweigh the harm that will also arise, primarily in respect of the loss of trees.”
A similar proposal was refused in 2023 and an appeal from York-based developer NCO (Seven) Ltd was dismissed by a government inspector a year later. The inspector decided the harm to the area’s character and appearance would be severe.
Now the plans have been redesigned in close collaboration with council officers, and the report says they have overcome the design concerns which led to the appeal dismissal.
The report says that while officers agree that the proposed density remains high, and the scale of the development will affect its neighbours, ‘the harm has been mitigated to an acceptable level’.
A number of trees will be lost, says the report, but there is an urgent need for housing, and the homes will redevelop a derelict site.
The site has attracted vandalism and anti-social behaviour since it closed in 2021, and two serious fires there last month were said to have been started deliberately.
All of the buildings on the site would be demolished to make way for the new homes. There would be four blocks of student accommodation, up to six storeys high, with 399 studio rooms.
Alongside those would be three blocks of similar size, containing 414 co-living studios.
Forty objections have been received by the city council, citing issues including the height, scale and design of the blocks.
Of the co-living units, 83 must be for affordable private rent. If permission is granted, it will come with a list of nearly 40 conditions which must be fulfilled by the developer.
Go-ahead for homes in the ‘Topsham Gap’
Police invite the public to share CCTV and doorbell footage
Help shape the future of culture in Exeter
WANTED | Martin McFetridge, Exeter
Trading Standards urges shoppers to check toys before they buy this Christmas
Exeter ‘skyline’ homes scheme thrown out
Essential tree works at Exmouth’s Manor Gardens to begin on 8 December
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay launch pilot to transform work experience for young people across rural and coastal communities
