Residents continue to give views on the Exeter Plan at consultation events

Published: 15 December 2023

Consultation on the Exeter Plan has been running for seven weeks and staff from the City Council have been speaking to residents at events across the city.

Questions from residents have been varied - many topics have proven of great interest to people, while some people simply ask what is the Exeter Plan?

Cllr Emma Morse, Lead Councillor for City Development, said: “The Exeter Plan is a planning document that will look at the future of Exeter. It looks at all ranges of planning needs across the city and it will form development applications as they come forward. So now this is really the time to get involved. This is how you shape the future of Exeter.”

There have also been many questions about height and density of future brownfield development.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, Leader of Exeter City Council, said: “It’s so important in a city like Exeter to maintain our greenspaces and our hills. We don’t want to build on them, so we have to build on old industrial sites and ensure people have access to cultural, leisure and transport services. We have to build to a scale where we can have a higher density, because that’s what modern cities look like."

Feedback on this topic so far indicates that 64% of respondents agree that Exeter needs to build closer to the city centre at higher densities.

Residents have also asked many questions about the future of the high street. This week’s consultation quick question focuses on this topic:

The way we shop and the role of the city centre is changing. In future, it will be important to have a wider variety of uses, facilities, jobs and homes in the city centre. Is this a good idea? Submit your answer on our consultation website.

The consultation closes on 15 January. There are four weeks left to have your say and tell the City Council what you think about the Exeter Plan.

Consultation events will be held on:

9 Jan - Exeter Library, Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PQ, 11am to 2pm

11 Jan - St Thomas Cricket & Social Club, Grace Road, Marsh Barton, EX2 8PU, 1pm to 7pm

Visit https://exeterplan.commonplace.is to find out more information. Or you can review a paper copy of the Exeter Plan in the reception area at the Civic Centre, as well as in libraries across the city.

Queries can be made by contacting the Local Plans team on 01392 265080 or at planning.policy@exeter.gov.uk