Plans for new homes at Clifton Hill are welcomed

Published: 15 December 2020

Council Leader Phil Bialyk said plans to create 42 new homes while protecting the green space at the former Clifton Hill leisure centre will provide a major boost to the community.

The City Council’s planning committee has backed plans for the development, which includes 11 affordable homes for the over 60s, at the site opposite Belmont Park.

Cllr Bialyk said: “Around 18 months ago I announced that we were not going to build on the open space, on the golf driving range or on the ski centre.

“I said I wanted to save that for the people of Exeter, and that I wanted to develop on the leisure centre site, and I am so pleased that’s what we will do.

“There will be 42 new homes here, including 11 affordable homes for the over 60s, which is absolutely great. We have worked with the local community here and I am absolutely delighted.”

The former leisure centre is set to be demolished next year. A brand new leisure complex will open on the nearby bus station site next summer.

Construction of the new homes will start next year and the first homes are expected to be completed in around 18 months.

The new homes will be develop by the Council-owned development company Exeter City Living. All will be built to the super energy-efficient Passivhaus standard.

Managing Director Emma Osmundsen said: “It is going to be a landmark development. There have been very few family-sized homes developed in the city centre over the last decade and they are much-needed. 

“They will be bespoke, healthy, climate-ready, low energy and high-performing homes.”