Work starts on £2m upgrade of King George V playing fields in Exeter

Work is beginning this week on a major redevelopment of one of Exeter’s most valued green spaces, with nearly £2 million secured to transform King George V Playing Fields on Topsham Road.

The 40-acre site, long used by local sports clubs, schools and families, is set to benefit from significant new facilities under plans led by Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT), the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club.

The Trust has secured £1,997,354 from the Football Foundation - funded by the Premier League, The FA and the UK Government - to deliver the first phase of improvements. 

The project has already been granted planning permission by Exeter City Council, and the land will be leased to ECCT on a 50-year agreement following council approval.

Phase one will see the installation of a new FIFA-quality 3G artificial pitch, the creation of two Football Foundation PlayZones and a refurbishment of the existing pavilion. 

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The pavilion upgrades will include accessible changing rooms and new community-use spaces designed to broaden the site’s appeal beyond organised sport.

The development follows a public consultation held last year, which helped shape the final plans.

King George V Playing Fields are part of a nationwide network of memorial grounds established after the death of King George V in 1936. 

The land is legally protected by Fields in Trust, whose role is to safeguard recreational spaces for public use in perpetuity.

Jamie Vittles, Chief Executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said the project represents a major investment in the city.

“We are delighted to bring this project to life and grateful to the many organisations, including Exeter City Council, Fields in Trust and the Football Foundation, who have worked closely with us to make it a reality,” he said.

“The incredible contribution from the Football Foundation brings a serious external investment into Exeter, helping us provide the best facilities for our whole community.”

He added that the Trust recognises its responsibility in overseeing the site’s future. “We are taking our role as custodians of this valuable green space very seriously.”

“This is about creating an accessible and improved space which meets the requirements of 21st century lifestyles, whilst preserving a wonderful natural resource and creating a community asset which will be here for many generations to come.”

Environmental enhancements form part of the plans. Sixty-five new trees will be planted in partnership with the council, forming a community orchard as well as additional screening and biodiversity improvements. 

Historically, part of the site was covered by a traditional orchard, and the reintroduction of fruit trees is intended to reflect that heritage while delivering long-term ecological benefits.

Two oak trees are due to be felled as part of the works. Project leaders say both are in the later stages of their natural life, with one having been severely damaged by squirrels stripping bark and causing structural instability in the upper canopy. 

The new planting is intended to offset the loss and enhance the overall green space.

A second phase of the scheme is expected to include padel courts, an extension to the pavilion incorporating a community café and social space, woodland trails and walkways, and further improvements to the grass pitches. 

While timelines for this stage have not yet been confirmed, it is expected to further expand the site’s appeal to both sports users and casual visitors.

Councillor Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Healthy Living at Exeter City Council, welcomed the start of work.

“It’s great news that the major improvements for these much-loved playing fields are about to begin,” he said. 

“The 3G pitch will allow many more games to go ahead which would otherwise have been lost due to bad weather, while much-needed refurbishment of the changing facilities will also be a major boost.

“I also welcome the woodland trails and walkways that will be created during the second phase for those who simply enjoy walking and being in this beautiful green space.

“The local community and everyone who uses King George V will benefit from the improvements that are being planned by ECCT, and this shows what can be done by working collaboratively with our partners in the city.”

The site has been identified as a priority within Exeter’s Playing Pitch Strategy, which assesses current and future demand for sports facilities across the city. With increasing pressure on existing pitches and more frequent weather disruption affecting natural grass surfaces, the new 3G facility is expected to significantly increase year-round playing capacity.

For many Exeter residents, the redevelopment marks the most significant investment in King George V Playing Fields in decades — and a clear signal of intent to secure its future as both a sporting hub and a protected community green space.