Bold plans unveiled for Exeter Riverside

Exeter’s riverside is set for a dramatic transformation as developers announce plans for a £400 million housing project on one of Devon’s most significant brownfield sites.

The land at Water Lane, previously home to a gasworks, coal store, and a controversial meat rendering plant, will be cleared and decontaminated to make way for up to 1,000 new homes, alongside other amenities.

The project includes constructing a new bridge across the canal and removing the decaying Brixham trawler Marie Claire, which has blighted the canal bank for over a decade. The first phase of the ambitious redevelopment could begin by early 2026, with the initial homes ready for occupancy by late 2027.

The development will feature a variety of housing types, including market-priced homes, affordable housing, extra-care homes, and student accommodation. Project director Richard Clarke of the Water Lane Development Company emphasised the importance of creating a mixed community, stating: “There will be a mix of every kind of housing. It’s a sensible way to approach things.”

While affordable housing will be part of the project, the developers have cautioned that meeting Exeter City Council’s 35% target for affordable units may not be feasible. “We do want to get affordable housing on the site,” Clarke said. “People think every developer hates affordable housing, but it is actually quite good because of the way it is funded.” Negotiations with the council will determine the exact proportion of affordable homes.

Market-priced properties will range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, catering to a diverse demographic. Extra-care housing and student accommodation are expected to be among the first sections completed.

The site’s history as a heavily industrialised area poses unique challenges. Decontaminating the land alone is expected to cost £30 million. However, the developers have secured most of the site and are prepared to begin work as soon as planning permission is granted. The development is part of Exeter’s ‘garden city’ vision, identified as one of eight regeneration projects in 2019.

Flood risk mitigation is a key aspect of the project, with the new development designed to withstand severe weather events predicted to occur once in a thousand years. “Situated right next to the canal, the development will be built with potential flooding in mind as the climate is expected to warm and weather patterns change,” Clarke explained.

The outline planning application, submitted in August 2023, has received broad public support through two consultation cycles. City councillors are expected to review the application in the coming weeks. If approved, detailed plans will follow, paving the way for construction to commence.

“There is no desire for us to be sitting on this,” said Clarke. “We want to get on with it.”

With its mix of housing options and strategic location by the canal, the Water Lane development promises to revitalise a long-neglected area of Exeter while addressing critical housing needs. Despite its challenges, the project represents a significant step forward in Exeter’s urban regeneration efforts.