New flats in Exeter could see less family homes being occupied by students
The Council have approved plans that could see an extra 1,250 bedrooms built on the University of Exeter campus
Plans that could see an extra 1,250 bedrooms in student flats to be built on the University of Exeter campus have been given the go ahead.
The university’s plans for the development of the Clydesdale, Nash and Birks Grange Village Halls of Residence site off Stocker Road, which could deliver an additional 1,250 bedrooms, were overwhelmingly supported by Exeter City Council’s planning committee on Thursday night.
Councillors agreed with the recommendation of approval that planning officers had suggested, saying that purpose built accommodation on the University’s own campus was the best way to reverse the trend of family homes in the city being occupied by students.
Backing the plans, Cllr Rachel Sutton said that it was for the redevelopment of a part of the campus which already accommodates students.
"Yes it is at a greater density, but I am quite certain that there are residents in other parts of the city who will welcome this as it means housing currently occupied by students comes back into occupation by families.
"There is already building on the site and it is always a difficult decision, but on balance, I will be supporting this, as more on campus then the fewer living in houses that should be for families."
Cllr Rachel Sutton
"The only way to reverse the trend is to build more purpose built student accommodation so we have to recognise if we want to halt the loss of family homes in Exeter, this is what we have to do in providing purpose built student accommodation."
Cllr Ruth Williams
But Cllr Michael Mitchell said that he was concerned about the building density and the scale of the current proposals and the impact on residents.
"This is a massive increase in floorspace and student numbers in the area and up to 1,200 extra bed spaces, on top of what already exists on site. I don’t have confidence that for local residents this wouldn’t be overpowering and overshadowing and it needs to be scaled back to get my support."
Cllr Michael Mitchell
But the outline proposals were approved by 10 votes to one at Thursday’s meeting, although councillors called for further discussions around the impact of light pollution to be held when the reserved matters application for the detail of the scheme comes forward.
The plans would see the demolition of the existing Clydesdale and Nash Grove accommodation buildings - built in the late 1980s and early 1990s - and the construction of new student accommodation buildings ranging in height from three to eight storeys.
Ancillary services, such as a shop, café and facilities are to be provided in the ground floor of some of the buildings.
The scheme will also see the existing Birks Grange refectory building demolished and replaced with the construction of a new six storey student accommodation building, with ancillary social and amenity space on the ground floor.
At the existing Birks Grange Village Student residences, the accommodation blocks would be refurbished to Passivhaus standards and include changing from catered halls to self-catered halls by introducing a kitchen within each flat.
The Estate Services Centre Estate Services Centre would also be demolished and replaced with the construction of a new three and four storey student accommodation building, with separate plans to relocate the existing Estate Services Centre to a new location at Rennes Drive also approved.
A net increase of between approximately 1,200 to 1,250 student bedrooms within the University campus would be delivered, a statement with the application says, although the precise number of units is not for determination at this stage given that this was an outline application.
In the report of the planning officers, recommending that the student flats scheme be approved, they conclude the proposal complies with the development plan policies and that the principle of the development of this site is appropriate.
They added: "Given the recent number of student accommodation schemes submitted in off-campus locations, the proposal for such a significant number of bed spaces within a sustainable location on campus is to be welcomed. It is accepted that the quantum of development proposed is substantial, however, it is considered that the parameter plans effectively limit the level of development to an acceptable scale.
"The proposed building heights to accommodate this would have a considerable impact on the character and appearance of the area, however, it is an accepted planning practice that where development is considered acceptable in principle, most efficient use of the land should be sought.
"In addition, the Passivhaus approach to the scheme is to be welcomed and is accepted will in some instances dictate the orientation, form and design of the resultant buildings."
The application will see:
The demolition of the existing two and three storey buildings at Clydesdale and Nash Halls and replaced with new student accommodation ranging in height from three to eight storeys. These buildings will include ancillary service such as shops, cafes at the ground floor level and arranged in courtyard settings with associated hard and soft landscaping.
The demolition of the existing service centre and replace with student accommodation buildings varying in height from three to four storeys, with a replacement estates service centres to be located to north east part of the University campus
The demolition of the existing Birks Grange refectory building and construction of a new six storey student accommodation building, with ancillary social and amenity space on the ground floor.
Refurbishment of existing accommodation block A-E of the Birks Grange to achieve equivalent Passivhaus standards to include external alterations to the walls, windows and roof to include solar panels. The demolition of the refectory removes catered halls from this part of the campus, resulting in the need for new kitchens within each flats and which as a consequence reduces the overall number of units.