Give feedback on revised plans for Flowerpot Playing Fields

Exeter City Council is seeking feedback on the revisions made to Exeter College’s planning application to demolish Flowerpot Playing Fields.

The public has until Sunday, October 13, to submit comments on plans to convert 4.64 acres of publicly accessible playing fields into a private facility for the college.

The redevelopment involves demolishing the changing rooms on Western Road to construct a new sports pavilion and an artificial all-weather rugby pitch.

During the night, this fenced-off sports pitch will be illuminated by floodlights.

The council first received the application in November 2021, sparking widespread public objections.

As of August 2024, the revised proposals include redesigning the pavilion to reduce its scale from two levels to a single floor, thereby decreasing its visual impact.

The proposed building's footprint and external design remain unchanged and will have a similar appearance to Exwick Pavilion.

Its internal layout has been remodelled to maintain the number of teaching spaces while reducing the overall occupancy.

Part of this reduction is due to the removal of the building’s changing rooms, with plans to utilise the changing facilities at Exwick Pavilion instead.

Amendments have been made to the fencing and viewing areas of the pitch, and the floodlights will be reduced in height from the originally proposed 21 meters to 18 meters.

So far, nine public objections have been made against the revised plans. 

One comment says: “I would like to strongly object to this planning application. I cannot see how this benefits the community. A great number of people use this important open space for recreation and wellbeing. To fence an area off and make it a 3G pitch only benefits a small number of people. Not to mention the environmental impact of this. Why would you want to allow plastic and concrete in an area that assists with the prevention of flooding?”

Another added: “We're really disappointed to see the massive ground works start to build a 3G pitch in Flowerpots fields. This beautiful park and community asset is going to be scarred permanently and without significant, meaningful consultation. As someone who has used this park daily for 2 years, I've never seen anything to invite engagement or consultation out and about around Flowerpots fields. I'm aware that organised clubs can request to use the site, but this is different and creates a barrier of access to kids and families being able to enjoy this precious community asset.”

You can view the application and submit a comment here.