“Probably one of the most important applications this committee has considered in many years” – Exeter waterside neighbourhood approved

A new waterside neighbourhood in Exeter featuring up to 980 new homes has been backed by planners.Exeter City Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the scheme at Water Lane, which also includes leisure and retail facilities, workspaces and public open space.Bath and Bristol-based design and planning consultancy Nash Partnership on behalf of Water Lane Development Management Company have brought forward the proposals.Up to 430,000 sq ft of commercial space, 320 student accommodation units and more than 100 units for older persons’ housing are also included.Permission for the scheme was granted subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.The 15-acre brownfield site, which is set in a location fronting the canal and just 1km from the city centre, is currently underutilized with much of it dilapidated.For many years, Water Lane has been a top regeneration priority for Exeter City Council. It is the largest mixed-use brownfield site allocated in the new Exeter Plan, with the current application covering a major part of the allocation.During the meeting, it was described as “probably one of the most important [applications] this committee has considered in many years”.The large-scale proposals were said to have the potential to “transform” Water Lane while also bringing wider strategic benefits to Exeter as a whole.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.”Partner Robert Locke from Nash Partnership, which led the design and planning consultancy for the proposals, 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.”