Outline plans for a significant new residential-led waterside neighbourhood in Exeter were unanimously approved last night at the City Council’s Planning Committee.
The proposals, put forward by our planning and design teams on behalf of Water Lane Development Management Company, envisage a truly transformative scheme delivering new homes, leisure and retail facilities, workplaces and public open space.
Plans for the ‘flagship’ scheme include up to 980 new homes, up to 40,000 sqm (GIA) of commercial space (classes C1/E/F), up to 320 student accommodation units and more than 100 units for older persons’ housing. Parameter plans were also submitted for approval (Access, Disposition of Uses, Building Height, Green and Blue Infrastructure, Demolition and Retention, Framework Parameter Plan). Permission was granted subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Water Lane has been a top regeneration priority for Exeter City Council (ECC) for many years. It is the largest mixed-use brownfield site allocated in the new Exeter Plan, with this application covering a major part of the allocation. Described in the meeting as “probably one of the most important [applications] this committee has considered in many years”, the large-scale proposals have the potential to transform Water Lane while also bringing wider strategic benefits to Exeter as a whole.
Set in a sustainable location fronting the canal and just 1km from the city centre, the 6.38HA brownfield site is currently underutilized with much of it dilapidated. An exceptionally difficult and neglected site, the committee recognized the complexity of putting together a deliverable scheme that will breathe new life into the area.
As well as regenerating a run-down site, the scheme will contribute significantly to meeting the city’s housing needs and its community in a way that responds to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Homes are likely to be one-bed, two-bed and some larger flats, bringing a mix of build to rent and market-sale dwellings, including age-restricted older persons accommodation. The proposed development represents a substantial single proportion of Exeter’s total housing delivery targets.
Given its accessible location, the distinctive new low car, low carbon development is being designed for sustainable lifestyles with an emphasis on active travel. It will also bring a significant uplift in biodiversity and ecological enhancements to the site. While biodiversity net gain is only indicative at outline stage, an assessment has shown the scheme can expect to far exceed the minimum of a 10% increase.
The outline application was submitted in August 2023 after extensive consultation with the community and a range of stakeholders. Consultation has since been ongoing and feedback has helped further refine the proposals and vision for the site’s regeneration, with proposed amendments submitted in 2024.
Commenting on the permission, Water Lane DMC Project Director Richard Clarke said: “We’ve reached a huge milestone in our journey towards regenerating this highly sustainable but very challenging site. There’s still much work to be done, but we’re keen to keep up the momentum by getting the site prepared and submitting infrastructure designs for consideration as soon as we can. We know the council and community share our ambition for this site so we’re over the moon with the faith the committee showed in us with the unanimous decision, allowing us to take the plans forward.”
At Nash Partnership, we led on both the planning and design elements of the proposals. Speaking about the project, our Partner Robert Locke said: “After many years in the making, this approval marks a significant turning point in the long-term regeneration of Water Lane. The scheme’s design aims to express the underlying sustainability of the place while establishing a new and distinct part of the city. Our outline designs were influenced by input from the council and community to ensure a thriving neighbourhood where people can enjoy living, working and socializing. We can’t wait to see this project take its next steps.”
