Public consultation on Northbrook Approach and three strategies postponed

Published: 19 March 2020

A public consultation on future plans for the former Northbrook Approach pitch and putt golf course in Exeter have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Exeter City Council was set to work with Devon Wildlife Trust and carry out a series of drop-in events over the summer to gather people’s views. However in light of recent events, these sessions have been postponed to a future date.

The Council has also postponed the following consultations:

• Trees and woodlands strategy
• Play strategy
• Parks and open spaces strategy

Last year the City Council decided to close the Northbrook golf course, which had low visitor numbers. It quickly stressed that it had no plans to sell the site or build houses on it.

A number of suggestions for the site have been put forward and once it is safe to do so, Devon Wildlife Trust, who manage the Council’s six Valley Parks, will work closely with the City Council to canvas the views of local people and invite their ideas.

These include a wild arboretum, which is a collection of trees, with wildflower meadows and newly planted trees, a community orchard for locals to nurture and enjoy freshly picked fruit, and a project to allow the stream to re-naturalise, break out of its current channel and create new wetlands ponds and pools. The areas would allow people to access the water’s edge and observe the stunning range of wildlife that it supports, including otters and kingfishers.

Both organisations would like to see the site managed to enhance its critical role as a crucial green corridor between Ludwell and Riverside Valley Parks.