University of Exeter submits revised on-campus accommodation plans

The amended outline planning application for new student residences at East Park, on its Streatham Campus, was submitted to Exeter City Council on Friday 31 March. The East Park site was first acquired by the University in 1964 and appeared in the 1971 University of Exeter Holford plan as a development site.

Works on the new accommodation plans, which strengthen the University’s commitment to reducing pressure on the city’s housing stock by accommodating more students on campus, are due to be completed by September 2021.

The original planning application was discussed by the Council’s planning committee in February and, following constructive debate, was deferred to allow for further discussions between the University and local community.

As well as taking into consideration continuous feedback from residents since the proposals were announced last year, the University has also recently met with key representatives from neighbouring wards to review the outline plans.

As a result, the East Park development has been revised to reflect the feedback of all the consultations and community engagement.

The new plans include a near 13 per cent reduction in proposed floor space, down to 32,230sqm. This has already been reduced by around 6 per cent from the first proposed plans – meaning an overall reduction of more than 18 per cent from the initial outline plan.

Following comments made during the consultation, which started in July 2016, the University has also reduced the height of three blocks, which were five and four storeys, so they are both three storeys high. This ensures that the entire row of proposed buildings at the top end of the site is now all three storeys high.

Two blocks have been removed from the initial application and the development has also been drawn away from the eastern edge of the proposed site, closest to the neighbouring residential areas, to reduce the overall size of the accommodation area. This means the overall open green space on the proposed site has been increased to 73% overall.

Mike Shore-Nye, Registrar and Secretary of the University of Exeter, said: “The University greatly values its relationship with its neighbours, and we have been delighted to be able to engage in such positive discussions both before the initial planning application was deferred, and in the following weeks.

“We have taken on board a number of comments that have been made and, as a result have reduced the overall floor space of the development, as well as ensuring the taller buildings are in the centre of the development. In addition to this, more than 70 per cent of the green space on the site will be allocated to landscaping.

“We are committed to easing pressures on the city’s housing stock by offering more student accommodation on campus to support the next phase of the University’s Strategic Plan, while also maintaining both the character of the campus and keeping in mind the wishes of our neighbours. The new residences would create additional jobs for the local community both during the construction phase and when operational.

“As with all the University’s on campus accommodation, students will not be permitted to bring a car or park on campus unless there are special circumstances, and we will continue to promote sustainable travel for staff and students across all of our campuses, including the development of cycling and alternative transport arrangements in conjunction with Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.”

The University has already demonstrated its commitment to reducing pressure on the city’s housing stock in recent years, including building £130 million worth of new student accommodation on its Streatham Campus providing for 2,600 students.

Members of the public are welcome to comment on the revised proposals by visiting www.exeter.gov.uk and searching for application 16/1232/01 by Monday 24 April. The application is expected to be heard by the City Council’s planning committee on 24 April 2017.