Your views wanted on improving Northbrook green space in heart of the city
Published: 5 March 2021
Residents are being encouraged to give their views on the future of a beautiful green space in the heart of the city.
A public consultation in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust has been launched on how best to enhance the former Northbrook Approach golf course off Topsham Road.
The Council decided to close the Northbrook golf course in 2019. It ruled out selling the site or building houses on it and said it wanted to preserve the green open space for public use.
The Council is now working with Devon Wildlife Trust, who manage the Council’s six Valley Parks, to secure the views of local people on a vision for the space as a ‘wild arboretum’ and invite their ideas.
Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “I’m so pleased this area will be preserved and enhanced as open green space, for all the residents of our city to enjoy – a commitment that I made. We now need to hear your views on how we can enhance it, while preserving and improving its wildlife, and I would encourage people to give us their views.
“These green spaces are so important to Exeter, and that is why we have pledged to maintain and improve them for the benefit of all.”
The proposal for future enhancements includes a wild arboretum, 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 Council and Devon Wildlife Trust would like to see the site managed to enhance its critical role as a crucial green corridor between Ludwell and Riverside Valley Parks.
Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for City Management, said: “We really want to hear from the residents of Exeter about what they want to see in their green space in their city.
“We want to make a legacy here for our children and our children’s children where there is green space in the heart of the city.
“So please take part in the consultation and let us know what you would like to see in this beautiful place in the future.”
The vision for Northbrook ties into the city’s 2040 Liveable Exeter vision for a city that is healthy, inclusive and sustainable with opportunity for access to green space and biodiversity gain.
Peter Burgess, Director of Conservation and Development at Devon Wildlife Trust, said: “The Northbrook Approach site plays a special role in the city connecting wildlife rich greenspaces in Exeter, between Ludwell and Riverside Valley Parks.
“This crucial wildlife corridor of woodlands and meadows follows the Northbrook stream, and people can walk the Green Circle route to explore these wilder places.
“We would like to see the site reach its full potential as a vibrant space for people and wildlife, with great access and bursting with wildflower meadows, orchard trees and a healthy Northbrook stream.
“It’s clear that local communities value this space and we are looking forward to finding out more about people’s thoughts, ideas and how they would like to contribute to shaping its future.”
To read more about the consultation, and to take part, visit our website here www.exeter.gov.uk/northbrook