Major step for Exeter Plan as thousands of new homes and brownfield development outlined

Exeter has set out its blueprint for future growth, showing where new homes, jobs and infrastructure should go.

The Exeter Plan, submitted last week to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is now heading to government inspectors, a key step before it can be adopted.

It focuses on transforming brownfield and underused land into vibrant new neighbourhoods that will drive the city’s growth over the next two decades.

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Councillor Susannah Patrick, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for City Development, called the submission “a key milestone” that will secure the homes, jobs and infrastructure Exeter needs while preserving “our valued greenspaces, hills, wildlife and heritage.”

But campaigners and community groups say the examination process,due in spring 2026, will be a crucial test of whether those promises hold up. 

Housing charities argue that Exeter urgently needs more affordable homes, while conservation groups are watching closely to see if the plan offers enough protection for the city’s natural setting and historic identity.

“It’s encouraging to see brownfield development at the heart of the strategy,” said Cllr Susannah, “but the detail will matter, residents want reassurance that growth won’t come at the expense of what makes Exeter special.”

The Exeter Plan has been shaped by four rounds of consultation since 2021, with residents invited to comment on draft proposals and site allocations. 

Inspectors will now consider those responses alongside the council’s evidence base before deciding if the plan is legally sound and ready for adoption.

If approved, the Exeter plan will guide planning decisions across the city for years to come. It sets out how Exeter will deliver thousands of new homes while also working to meet climate targets, protect wildlife corridors and maintain its character as a historic cathedral city. 

The Planning Inspectorate will publish the timetable for public hearings in the coming months. The discussions around Exeter’s future growth and development are expected to continue.