Plans to deliver thousands of new homes discussed by councillors

Published: 4 July 2019

Plans to create thousands of new homes in Exeter over the next decade are set to be discussed by councillors.

Next week’s meeting of the Executive will consider proposals to deliver Liveable Exeter Garden City, a transformational housing programme to create at least 10,000 new homes at eight key city locations over the next 20 years.

A report for members recommends a budget of £750,000 to create several key posts - Project Director, Project Manager, Commercial Surveyor and Planning Officer. A new board will oversee the work of the delivery team.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government recently provided initial funding of £750,000 to accelerate delivery of the programme.

The bid was made jointly with East Devon, Teignbridge, Mid Devon and Devon County Council.

In a report to Executive, the City Council’s Chief Executive and Growth Director Karime Hassan urges Exeter to maintain momentum and press ahead with its ambitious plans.

The report says: “It is important to the sub-region and the city that momentum is maintained and in the light of the acute housing supply problem in the city, it is vital that the city drives the programme as it relates to the city.”

The report adds: “The Liveable Exeter Garden City programme aims to bring forward housing to meet local need in a fashion that is more sustainable and more supportive of wider aims of active and healthy lifestyles, and supporting mixed use neighbourhoods.

“This report simply seeks to put resources in place in order to assist delivery and securing the outcomes identified in the Liveable Exeter housing transformation document.

“The Governance Board will provide a mechanism for key stakeholders in the city to shape the delivery of the programme and to ensure we achieve the broader outcomes that will address social inclusion and mobility and ensure the benefits of growth are available to all.”

Liveable Exeter highlights the need to create new communities based on active travel including walking and cycling rather than the private car.

It calls for the retention and growth of green space and valley parks to allow people to move around in a natural and green setting.

The vision highlights the potential for eight transformational projects:

1: Red Cow Village (St David’s) – 664 homes in new neighbourhood, including new work space, and use of under-utilised station buildings

2: Water Lane – 1,567 homes in a new place to live and work. A space for expanding leisure attractions near the quay, with low traffic or car-free development with attractive cycle and walking connections

3: Marsh Barton – 5,544 homes in a new neighbourhood for Exeter. The area remains an important employment and retail area, but with the integration of living and working where uses are compatible, to make better use of riverside location. Creation of new types of work space

4: East Gate – 962 new homes, an enhanced approach to the city centre from the east, reduced traffic on Heavitree Road and a greater provision for public transport, walking and cycling. New places to live close to the city centre

5: West Gate - 617 new homes, opening up access to the river and canal from the city centre, a new cultural destination on the river, an expanded and connected park at the heart of the city, a Green Bridge promoting active travel

6: South Gate – 300 new homes, establishing an improved link between the city centre and the historic quayside, with a greater emphasis on the wall, city gates and Southernhay, linking from Southernhay to the Quay, and a new arrival to the city centre from Topsham Road.

7: North Gate – 308 new homes, a new approach to the city from St David’s, uncovering the medieval city wall between Friernhay and Northernhay Gardens, a new living opportunity at density in the heart of the city.

8: Sandy Gate – 1,050 new homes in a new sustainable and well connected mixed-use neighbourhood, bridging the city and the new and existing neighbourhoods to the east, providing recreational, cultural and entertainment space where Exeter meets the newly formed Clyst Valley Park.

The report will be discussed at Tuesday’s Executive meeting. Click here to find out more.