813 student and co-living studios at Devon And Cornwall Constabulary, Exeter

The site and surroundings

The vacant site included varied-height buildings, landscaped areas and trees, with homes, a school, existing co-living accommodation, roads and St Luke’s Campus nearby.

“S106 Monitoring Fee 5.0 Description of site The application site comprises the former Heavitree Road Police Station (including custody cells) and Magistrates Court. The existing buildings on the site vary significantly in height from single storey structures up to a central element comprising five storeys. The existing buildings are set well into the site with the result that there is significant space around them, much of which is landscaped with grass and trees.”

“The site is bounded to north by the playground comprising part of Newtown Primary School, where the Multi-Use games Area adjoins the site at its North Western corner, the residential flats making up St Matthews Close (which feature communal gardens adjacent the boundary), and the Co-living residential scheme known as ‘The Gorge’ on the site of the former ambulance station (ref. 19/1417/FUL).”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the redesign acceptable because it reduced scale and massing, improved integration, and delivered housing, regeneration and active-travel benefits despite tree loss.

“Whilst officers concede that the scheme will give rise to some undesirable outcomes, most notable of which is the loss of numerous trees (including mature trees with positive landscape and amenity impacts), overall officers consider that the scheme will be beneficial. Weighed against any harm arising, the contribution that the scheme will make to housing delivery is significant.”

“The regeneration of this long-standing vacant site (with benefits to the townscape on this key arterial route into the city) is a further significant benefit, and officers consider that the provision of a new route through the site will also be beneficial in terms of permeability and active travel.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A councillor spoke under standing orders, while representatives of the Exeter Civic Society and the applicant spoke against and in support.

The vote

Members voted 8–2 to require the public access route to remain open 24 hours, then voted 8–2 for the amended recommendation.

“to amend the terms of the proposed S106 agreement so that the public access route through the site shall remain open 24 hours a day.”

“The Chair moved, and Councillor Rolstone seconded the recommendation as amended, which was voted upon and CARRIED (8 in favour, 2 against and 0 abstentions).”

Minutes