Have your say on plans to demolish Topsham Golf Academy for 54 homes

A planning application has revealed plans to demolish Topsham Golf Academy on Exeter Road and replace it with 54 residential units. 

Developer Heritage Homes first submitted the application to Exeter City Council in July 2024, with validation in September 2024.

The application requests the demolition of the existing buildings and structures and the proposed development of 54 residential units, including affordable housing, open space, landscaping, car parking, drainage, vehicular access, internal roads, and all associated infrastructure and development. 

Heritage Homes, which purchased the golfing facility, is also responsible for nearby developments, including Berkley Park on Exeter Road, comprising 61 residential dwellings.

They describe this new proposal as an extension of Berkley Park.

The planning document states: “The scheme has a close relationship with the development known as Berkeley Park. It is a reference point as the Council is clearly content with the design approach; otherwise, planning permission would have not been granted”.

Two public objections have been raised so far, citing concerns over biodiversity and potential overdevelopment.

One objection requests habitat surveys for reptiles, amphibians, bats, dormice, and the rare cirl bunting, a species found only in South Devon.

The comment says: "The site is located within a cirl bunting consultation zone. Cirl bunting typically utilises grassland during the summer and arable fields during the winter, while nesting within scrub and hedgerows. As the site is within a consultation zone and includes suitable habitat, guidance provided by the combined Devon LPA's requires that a survey be undertaken to confirm the presence or absence of cirl bunting. Impacts regarding this species cannot be concluded without undertaking this survey."

The full application can be found here, and has a determination deadline of Thursday, December 12.