More ‘bedsit-style’ homes for city centre

Two more major ‘co-living’ developments are likely to be given the go-ahead in Exeter.

They will be the latest in a series of schemes brought forward in the city as it tries to address its housing problem.

Some claim the steep rise in properties for students of the growing university has contributed to a shortage of accommodation for local people and families.

The city council has seen an increase in the number of proposed co-living developments – groups of ‘bedsit’ style homes that have shared communal facilities.

The latest applications, to be considered by Exeter City Council’s planning committee next week, are for 145-bed spaces at Summerland Street in the city centre and 34 more in Tudor Street off Western Way.

Both are likely to be approved with conditions attached.

The plan at Summerland Street is to demolish a supermarket, windscreen repair depot and cafe between Red Lion Lane and Verney Street, with a six-storey block going up in its place.

A report to the meeting says: “It is considered that, on balance, the benefits of the development by providing residential accommodation on a previously developed but underused site in this highly sustainable location outweigh the identified harms through reduced daylight, outlook and privacy to affected neighbouring dwellings.”

Supporting the plan, the NHS Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust says staff struggle to find affordable housing across the city, and the co-living approach can help, especially for people moving on from student housing or recently arriving in Devon.

Objectors say neighbouring buildings will be overshadowed.

Exeland House in Tudor Street, which is currently used for offices and shops, was built as a Mission Hall in 1876. The plan is to convert the existing building into 16 residential rooms across three floors, retaining the building’s exterior. A three and four-storey extension at the front would provide 18 more rooms.

The Environment Agency objects on flood-risk grounds, while police are concerned about the ‘transient’ nature of residents potentially leading to anti-social behaviour.